We went to look at the snowpack on Saddle Peak in the backcountry south of Bridger Bowl (12/5/19). Heavily wind loaded slopes have hard slabs over weak facets. Unfortunately this poor snowpack structure will be with us for a while in the backcountry. It will not get compacted by skier traffic or show obvious signs of instability. SKi patrol triggered this slide just inside their boundary. This is the first time they have done control this season, so it is a glimpse of what we might find in the uncontrolled backcountry snowpack. Photo: GNFAC
Location
Saddle Peak