Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT, USA, Avalanche Path Atlas
Peitzsch EH, Fagre DB, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center. 2010. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT, USA, Avalanche Path Atlas. West Glacier, MT
Report provides a listing, 3d pictoral representation, and physical characterization of avalanche paths affecting the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP. In 2002, GNP instituted its first formal avalanche hazard forecasting program for snow removal operations. For the 2003 season, GNP established a daily forecasting program with two full-time avalanche specialists. During the season, which typically runs from April through June, equipment operators removing snow from the upper 23 km segment of the GTSR are exposed to a variety of avalanche hazards, including loose snow avalanches, wet and dry slab avalanches, and glide avalanches. In this road section, the GTSR lies mid-track in numerous large avalanche paths capable of destructive class 5 slides. There are a total of 37 avalanche paths that affect the GTSR from West Glacier on the west side of the divide to St. Mary east of the divide. This report describes those avalanche paths both physically and what climatic conditions lead to their slide activity.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peitzsch, Erich; Fagre, Daniel; USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
- Date of Issue
- 2010
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- avalanche atlas, Climate, Geology, snow forecasting