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Missoula Avalanche

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 5, 2022
Submitted:
March 7, 2022
Zone or Region:
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Boulder Point-Peak-Creek

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
7,500'
Aspect:
N
Comments:
The north facing chute that departs North to the creek from Boulder Point's outhouse ran almost full track (wet-loose) sometime near the end of last week's atmospheric river event. The re-frozen debris was quite a spectacle. I did eventually have to take off my skis and walk down the frozen river cobbles to get through the final choke.

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

I headed up to Boulder Point to stay the night and take advantage of a beautiful clear day on Saturday. I continued up to Boulder Peak and was able to glass multiple natural avalanches that appeared to have run since the end of the AR event last week. To the east, in Idaho, I glassed a few smaller crowns (6-14 cm's) on mostly E aspects, they appear to be new snow sliding on the rain crust. To the south, in Nelson creek, I glassed a couple of N facing slopes right at 35 degrees that had released naturally. It is always difficult to gauge depths at such long distances, but these north facers looked like they had deeper crowns (14-30 cm's). I skied the north into Boulder creek mostly out of curiosity, I was thankful for sharp edges and short skis!

Media

Nelson Creek, N, 35 degrees, 8400'
Idaho crest, E, 35 degrees, 7,500'
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