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Missoula Avalanche

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 23, 2022
Submitted:
January 24, 2022
Zone or Region:
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Central Bitterroot - Lost Horse

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Other
Size:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
Elevation:
Aspect:
Comments:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Toured in Lost Horse creek on North and South aspects about a mile down canyon from Tenmile creek. Very limited cracking around skis on shaded aspects and none on solar aspects. Snow from last Thursday/Friday ranged from about 15 cm at 6,000 feet to a settled 30 cm at 8,000 feet, with some deeper slabs in wind loaded areas. Wind was moderate above about 6,500 with moderate snow transport.

I noted one natural slab avalanche on a steep, wind loaded South east facing starting zone that appeared to be from last Thursday's snow and ran into the South Fork of Lost Horse creek. I noted multiple glide crowns and debris up to D3 that presumably ran during the large warm precipitation event in early January.

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