19-20

<p>The snowpack is generally stable. However, there are still some avalanches concerns worth watching out for, primarily wind drifted snow.</p>

<p>Strong winds earlier this week formed wind slabs that were breaking naturally as well as being triggered by skiers and riders (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-wind-slab-avalanches-brid…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22387">details</a></strong&gt;). At this point, those wind drifts have mostly bonded and gained enough strength to be of limited concern, but be on the lookout in case you find one that hasn’t glued on yet (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb7damw5EEs&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). You’re most likely to find poorly bonded drifts where they sit over a hard crust that formed last weekend. With winds shifting to a somewhat unusual direction today (east and southeast), we could see a little bit of new wind loading on atypical slopes. Pay attention to the feel of the snow beneath your feet. If the snow suddenly feels harder and hollow, you’ve found a wind slab and need to check how well it’s bonded before getting onto steep slopes. Shooting cracks are a clear sign that it remains unstable.</p>

<p>With cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, wet avalanches concerns are on hold for the moment. The weak layers at the ground are also dormant and not a significant concern until we get a big warmup or a huge loading event.</p>

<p>As the snowpack becomes more stable, it is reasonable to step out your terrain choices, but that should be done cautiously and with intention. Yesterday, near the Throne in the Bridger’s I sought out a non-wind loaded slope, felt good about stability, and was comfortable getting into avalanche terrain (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtFgiumGN7Y&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). In contrast, just a few miles to the south, touring north of Bridger Bowl, Dave considered skiing a line off the ridge, but decided against it because of recent wind loading. LOW danger is not carte blanche to ride any and all slopes. Be on the lookout for recent wind loading and (unexpected) signs of lingering instability.</p>

<p>Large avalanches are unlikely and the avalanche danger is LOW.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <a href="https://mtavalanche.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6653a830e4819c9e…; target="_blank">observation form</a>, email us (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com&quot; target="_blank">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>The northern Gallatin Range was gifted 7” of snow last night that measures .5” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a>. Strong wind blew from the west that loaded slopes and grew cornices. Skiers and sledders could trigger avalanches in the windblown snow and also in the new snow. It is unlikely avalanches will break deeper. Cornices are primed to snap off so be extra cautious as you travel along ridgelines. Shooting cracks in the new or wind drifted snow are signs to stay clear of steep slopes. For today, the <u>dry snow</u> avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>Last night’s 1” of new snow is not enough to increase the avalanche danger. Wind continues to blow strong at ridgelines although there is not much snow left to transport (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wind-scoured-slopes-around-cooke-…;). There may be small and isolated wind drifts that could be triggered, but there is not widespread instability. During times of generally safe avalanche conditions we understandably let our guard down, but this carries risk. Today the risk involves getting surprised if a small wind-drift breaks when many others did not. It also involves cornices breaking much further back than you thought possible. These overhangs of snow grew in size over the last few days and will be vulnerable to breaking (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/cornices-along-bridger-ridge">pho…;). They regularly catch unsuspecting skiers and sledders.</p>

<p>On Tuesday I was in Cooke City and found wind-loading at many elevations (<u><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/fb7damw5EEs">video</a></strong></u&gt;) which is what Ian also saw on Buck Ridge (<u><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/NeckTM_Iudk">video</a></strong></u&gt;). That same day in the Bridger Range many wind slabs at the ridgeline broke naturally and from skiers (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-wind-slab-avalanches-brid…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22387">details</a></strong></u&gt;). I expect these drifts to be mostly stuck in place by now. The sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack are still there and unlikely to break anytime soon. A large, quickly applied load like a massive cornice fall could trigger that layer, but that would be exceptional.</p>

<p>For today, since natural and human triggered avalanches in the <u>dry snow</u> are unlikely, the danger is rated LOW.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <u><a href="https://mtavalanche.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6653a830e4819c9e…; target="_blank">observation form</a></u>, email us (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com&quot; target="_blank">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>