Observation Date: 12/18/2011

Route/Location:
Heart Lake, south of Hoodoo pass

Sat – Up to Heart Lake, then Dalton Lake. Ski Dalton chutes, then reverse route back to car.
Sun – Up to Heart Lake, then Trio Lake. Ski bowls along the crest past Hidden lake, then out to car.

Weather:

Wind:
up to 15 mph on ridge tops. Last week’s snow came in with strong winds.

New Snow: 0-3″

Snow DensityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low densityThe mass of snow per unit volume, but often expressed as a percent water content. New fallen powder has a low density (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%). (3-10%), while heavy or wet snow is more dense (10-20%).: Low

Avalanche Activity:
Once again, I did not dig a pit during 2 consecutive days near Heart Lake. Last thursday’s storm only produced about 3″ of snow up high, and it snowed about 2″ up high during the day today (12/18). It appears the snowpack was spared any severe faceting and surface hoarFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dewFeathery crystals that form on the snow surface during clear and calm conditions - essentially frozen dew. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried.. Forms a persistent weak layerA snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures. once buried. growth during last week’s cold clear nights. The snowpack has become fairly faceted in areas where the snow depth is less than a foot or so. Didn’t triggerA disturbance that initiates fracture within the weak layer causing an avalanche . In 90 percent of avalanche accidents , the victim or someone in the victims party triggers the avalanche .A disturbance that initiates fracture within the weak layer causing an avalanche . In 90 percent of avalanche accidents , the victim or someone in the victims party triggers the avalanche . any collapsingWhumpf has actually been adopted as a technical avalanche term to describe the sound of a collapsing snowpack when you cross the snow. A sign of instability. /cracking, and the only avalanches observed were shallow sluffs off cliffy areas and limited roller balls below 6000′. A strong inversion allowed temps to climb above freezing up to perhaps 6500′ on saturday, with the normal associated settling and stabilizing. We felt fairly comfortable skiing steep terrain on all aspects both days. Skiing conditions were fairly good, and coverage is excellent relative to the bitterroot and rattlesnake mtns.

Other Comments:
After almost getting hopelessly stuck on saturday, I would recommend parking at an obvious turnaround where all the snowmoblie trailers park approximately 1 mile above the top of the gorge and about 3 miles shy of the heart lake trailhead. Medium clearance vehicles should be able to make it this far, although chains may be warranted for traction.

Observer: Brian Story