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Missoula Avalanche

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 3, 2022
Submitted:
December 3, 2022
Zone or Region:
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Crystal Theater

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
6,100
Aspect:
N
Comments:
2nd pillar from looker's right. Looked like about 30 yards wide and ran ~ 100 yards down the slope.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Dug a pit at 6,100 feet, east facing, aspect 26 degrees.

Snow was 115 centimeters deep. 80 centimeters below the surface (35 centimeter from the ground) we found the talked about weak layer. 60 centimeters down there was another minor layer.

Did an extended column test. It move at 20th tap but did not propagate. When we put a shovel behind it and pulled, the 80 centimeter layer came out pretty cleanly.

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