24-25

Climber triggered wind slabs at the Sphinx

Sphinx Mountain
Southern Madison
Code
HS-AF-R2-D1-I
Elevation
9600
Aspect
NW
Latitude
45.15820
Longitude
-111.47700
Notes

Triggered a small wind slab:

-9600'

-N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain 

-Strong SW wind

-Noticed other small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Foot penetration
R size
2
D size
1
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness
10.0 inches
Slab Width
25.00ft
Images
North face of the Sphinx, Nov 2
Wind Slabs at the Sphinx
Snow Observation Source
Wind Slabs at the Sphinx
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
24-25

From obs.: "Triggered a small wind slab: -9600' -N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain -Strong SW wind

-Noticed oth er small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations" Photo: S. Bonucci

Avalanche Details: Climber triggered wind slabs at the Sphinx
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Nov 6, 2024
Southern Madison, 2024-11-05
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    • Wind Slabs at the Sphinx

    Date
    Activity
    Ice Climbing

    Triggered a small wind slab:

    -9600'

    -N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain 

    -Strong SW wind

    -Noticed other small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations

    Region
    Southern Madison
    Location (from list)
    Sphinx Mountain
    Observer Name
    Steph Bonucci

    Early season avalanche, outside advisory area

    Out of Advisory Area
    Code
    N-R2-D2
    Elevation
    9400
    Aspect
    E
    Latitude
    45.30290
    Longitude
    -110.63500
    Notes

    Avalanche observed on Chico Baldy above Mill Creek in Paradise Valley.  East aspect at about 9400'. Possibly a wind slab but hard to tell

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    2
    D size
    2
    Problem Type
    Wind-Drifted Snow
    Vertical Fall
    800ft
    Slab Width
    70.00ft
    Images
    Early season avalanche
    Snow Observation Source
    Early season avalanche
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    24-25

    Early season avalanche

    Date

    Avalanche observed on Chico Baldy above Mill Creek in Paradise Valley.  East aspect at about 9400'. Possibly a wind slab but hard to tell

    Region
    Out of Advisory Area

    Early season snow, Lulu Pass Rd

    Date

    Drove up Lulu Pass road 1/4 mile from hwy 212. There was 7-8" of snow that fell since November 1 on previously snow-free southerly facing meadows around 8,100'. 

    Region
    Cooke City
    Observer Name
    Alex Marienthal
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