24-25 | Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

4-5 inches of new snow

Date

Sat, 11/16/2024 - 12:25

Activity

Ice Climbing

My partner and I climbed Twin Falls in Hyalite (it's fat). Snowfall ended mid-morning and I estimated 4-5" of new at the base of the climb (~7,500'). The wind was not blowing and there was 12-18" on the ground. The new snow bonded well to the old snow and I did not see any facets or depth hoar forming in the old snow.

There were lots of skiers heading up the Grotto Falls trail and Mt. Blackmore, so hopefully you'll get more info from them.

Region

Northern Gallatin

Location (from list)

Hyalite - main fork

Observer Name

Doug Chabot

Small storm slabs at Bridger

Date

Sat, 11/16/2024 - 10:00

Activity

Skiing

We found 3-4 inches of new snow while touring up Bridger and accessing the ridge via patrol chute. The new snow was on a hard crust to the ground that had not bonded yet and we observed some cracking in isolated wind affected regions. The East wind on the ridge last night formed cornices in unusual spots up high, and there was minimal cornice growth on the Eastern (normal) edge of the ridge. We skied hidden gully that had small storm slabs that propagated at our ski tips and only ~3inches in depth. The snow within Hidden was not wind affected and actually made for some great skiing further down in the couloir!

Region

Bridger Range

Location (from list)

Bridger Bowl

Observer Name

Maddie Beck

Conditions on and near divide peak

Date

Sat, 11/16/2024 - 11:15

Activity

Skiing

Toured through divide basin to divide peak this morning. Snow in the basin around 130cm based on ski pole penetration however the peak itself only had about 35cm where we dug a pit on a SW slope. The new snow was sitting on a sun crust about an inch thick that was very hard to break and took a solid punch with my fist to break. Underneath the crust was all sugary facets sitting on rock. Semi-Poor skiing

Region

Northern Madison

Location (from list)

Divide Peak

Observer Name

Cooper Daniels

The Ramp

Date

Sat, 11/16/2024 - 08:30

Activity

Skiing

Myself and three others toured up to 8260 ft on the Ramp this morning. Down low on Alpine wind gusts from the W were strong but as we ascended winds diminished and I didn't notice wind effect or slab formation on the snow on the Ramp up to where we turned around. Temps were in the 20s and visibility was minimal from the Ramp with a Bridger Bowl cloud hanging over us. The snow depth on the Ramp was about 50 cm deep from the top of Bradley's to 8260 ft. Snow depths varied at the top of Bradley's ranging from more scoured areas (30 cm) to previously wind drifted areas up to 85 cm. The new snow surface from the naked eye looked to be a mix of wind broken particles and rimed stellars. Early season hazards still abound but the skiing was surprisingly very pleasant!

Region

Bridger Range

Location (from list)

The Ramp

Observer Name

Haylee Darby

Weather and Avalanche Log for Sat Nov 16, 2024

Read more about Weather and Avalanche Log for Sat Nov 16, 2024

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Nov 15, 2024

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

Snow depths and <a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#snow-water-equivalent-swe…; across the area are:

<ul>
<li>Bridgers: 8” snow/2” SWE</li>
<li>Hyalite: 15” snow/3.6” SWE</li>
<li>Big Sky: 9” snow/2” SWE</li>
<li>West Yellowstone: 12” snow/2.5” SWE</li>
<li>Island Park: 12” snow/2.8” SWE</li>
<li>Cooke City: 11” snow/2.6” SWE</li>
</ul>

With such thin snow, the greatest threat is hitting rocks and stumps; however, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><span… avalanche activity</a> proves that there is more than enough snow for avalanches. In Hyalite at <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><… Rock</a>  on Thursday, Ian and Dave found between 0” of snow and 18” of snow.

Fresh wind slabs are the main avalanche problem, especially by Sunday when strong winds should blow from the west. Early-season avalanches may not bury you, but they will hurt playing pinball with you through the rocks and stumps.

Hunters should be especially cautious since they often travel alone and without avalanche rescue gear. Avoid steep slopes with snow deeper than your ankles.