Photos

Skiers noted wet slab and wet loose avalanche activity on March 28th in the mountains near Cooke City. Photo: B. Fredlund

Skiers noted wet slab and wet loose avalanche activity on March 28th in the mountains near Cooke City. Photo: B. Fredlund

Skiers noted wet slab and wet loose avalanche activity on March 28th in the mountains near Cooke City. Photo: B. Fredlund

On 3/27/22 Big Sky ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain. Photo: BSSP

"We also conducted avalanche mitigation on our Cabin’s Road at 4:30pm. The snowpack in this zone doesn’t get skied and is representative of the backcountry. The slope is ENE around 8,400’. Several wet slab avalanches were produced with explosives and ski cutting. The avalanches ranged from R4/D2 to R2/D1. They all hit the road and several crossed, and buried, the Cabin’s Road. Although most of this mitigation was done with explosives, it took minimal effort with skis to get snow moving. The crowns were 2-3’ deep and ran on the ground." Photo: YCSP

"A wet loose avalanche was seen in the Apron (closed terrain that hasn’t been opened this season) around 3:00pm. It was an R2/D2 on a east facing slope around an elevation of 8,500’." Photo: YCSP

On 3/27/22 Bridger Bowl ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain, and in adjacent backcountry terrain. Photo: BBSP

On 3/27/22 Bridger Bowl ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain, and in adjacent backcountry terrain. Photo: BBSP

We drove up Bridger Canyon to look for wet snow avalanche activity. We observed 4-5 wet slab avalanches in Argentina Bowl that failed full depth, a full depth wet loose avalanche in the Pinnacles area, 6 full depth slab and loose snow avalanches north of Ross Peak and several full depth loose snow avalanches in the north of Frazier Basin. Additionally, there were many shallower wet loose avalanches. This activity occurred primarily on March 27th, but some occurred in the preceding days. Photo: GNFAC

We drove up Bridger Canyon to look for wet snow avalanche activity. We observed 4-5 wet slab avalanches in Argentina Bowl that failed full depth, a full depth wet loose avalanche in the Pinnacles area, 6 full depth slab and loose snow avalanches north of Ross Peak and several full depth loose snow avalanches in the north of Frazier Basin. Additionally, there were many shallower wet loose avalanches. This activity occurred primarily on March 27th, but some occurred in the preceding days. Photo: GNFAC

We drove up Bridger Canyon to look for wet snow avalanche activity. We observed 4-5 wet slab avalanches in Argentina Bowl that failed full depth, a full depth wet loose avalanche in the Pinnacles area, 6 full depth slab and loose snow avalanches north of Ross Peak and several full depth loose snow avalanches in the north of Frazier Basin. Additionally, there were many shallower wet loose avalanches. This activity occurred primarily on March 27th, but some occurred in the preceding days. Photo: GNFAC

We drove up Bridger Canyon to look for wet snow avalanche activity. We observed 4-5 wet slab avalanches in Argentina Bowl that failed full depth, a full depth wet loose avalanche in the Pinnacles area, 6 full depth slab and loose snow avalanches north of Ross Peak and several full depth loose snow avalanches in the north of Frazier Basin. Additionally, there were many shallower wet loose avalanches. This activity occurred primarily on March 27th, but some occurred in the preceding days. Photo: GNFAC

Natural avalanches on peak 9595' east of YNP and north of Silver Gate. 3/27/22. Photo: GNFAC

Observed this avalanche crown on 3/27/22 south of Silver Gate and east of Yellowstone N.P. Appeared to be a wet slab within 24 hours old. Photo: GNFAC

Natural wet slab avalanche on Cedar Mtn. Observed 3/26/22. Photo: J. Gerardi

Natural slab avalanche on the Sphinx. Observed 3/26/22. Photo: J. Gerardi

This avalanche occurred after a skier descended the slope on March 26. East-facing at 10,000 feet. Photo: E. Young

From obs 3/26/22: "Freezing temps overnight created breakable crust in the morning which quickly deteriorated as the day warmed. (Temps rose surprisingly faster than we anticipated.  Experience large whumphs while ascending the NW shoulder of Electric Pk. at 9600 ft. Without hesitation we turned back and skied out the skin track. The snow became very rotten and we penetrated to boot-tops often while exiting." Photo:  S. Miller

On March 26 many natural wet slides occurred in closed terrain at Bridger Bowl. Photo: BBSP

On March 26 many natural wet slides occurred at Bridger Bowl in closed terrain. Photo: BBSP