Snow Observations List

GNFAC
Bridger Range
Fairy Lake
Wet and dry and dangerous
Snow Obsdrvation includes images
Snow Obs contain video

Driving up Bridger Canyon we saw wet loose avalanche across the whole range that ran yesterday afternoon (1/29). Some of these slides appear to have gouged down to the ground, entraining the whole season's snowpack.

We sledded into Fairy Lake, parked, and skinned up to the ridgeline overlooking Frazier Basin. An older, previously reported slide that broke widely was still visible in October Bowl. There were numerous wet loose avalanches on the south facing wall of Frazier, many of which appear to have pulled out dry slabs lower in the path as they ran yesterday afternoon. 

There was a firm refreeze on all slopes this morning. We dug on a NE and SE aspect at 8800 ft and got unstable test results on both aspects (ECTP22 and ECTP12) breaking 1-2 ft deep on the surface hoar/facets from December. The snowpack was 100% dry on the shady slope and only the top 3" was wet on the sunny slope at 1 pm. Was able to push the top couple inches of wet snow downhill on steep rollovers as we descended. 

It was ~60 degrees when we returned to the parking lot at 2:30 pm. 

Full Snow Observation Report

Great call on HIGH today. Wet loose were pulling out slabs yesterday. I think the weak layers were still dry, but either way, it felt like we were/are close to a real wet cycle. Wouldn't be surprised if it happened later this afternoon, or if not, tomorrow. 

The road ride in was brutal, lots of bare patches and a lot of overheating. 

Z. Peterson
Cooke City
Scotch Bonnet
Loose Wet Avalanches on Scotch Bonnet
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Good views today of upper elevation alpine terrain north of Cooke City. Snow remained cold on all aspects will late in the day above 9500'. The exception was steep west and south-facing terrain that had many small point releases. These were multiple loose wet avalanches on the west side of Scotch Bonnet, each of the Rasta Chutes had debris in them and looked recent, probably this afternoon. Just north of the Rastas, we saw a crown of an avalanche, whether that was recent or not was difficult to tell. 

Full Snow Observation Report
Nikolai
Island Park
Centennials - Idaho
Avalanches
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Over 15 slides spotted on our ride today. Both large and small. Mostly south facing slopes with a large one on a north facing slope. Several hills with visible cracking and ready to let loose. 

Full Snow Observation Report
N. Mattes
Cooke City
Mineral Mountain
Avalanche on Mineral Mountain
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Spotted a recent natural avalanche on a south-southeast aspect on Mineral Mountain from Cooke City. I assume this was a wet slab avalanche. I can see roller balls and possible small wet loose slides on similar aspects with binoculars. 

Full Snow Observation Report
G. Roe
Cooke City
Republic Creek
Republic Creek Avalanches
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Observed quite a few avalanches at the head of Republic Valley today. D1-D2. Range. Looked to be 2-3 days old on various aspects. primarily North-Northwest facing.

attached a few photos. Did not get a good shot of The headwall off Republic peak but that had also slid

Full Snow Observation Report
GNFAC
Island Park
CENTENNIAL RANGE
Fewer Obvious Signs of Instability, Still Worried
Snow Obsdrvation includes images
Snow Obs contain video

We spent the last two days riding in the Centennial Mountains. We had limited visibility for spotting avalanches but we did catch sight of one slide on a steep slope above Yale Creek. 

There were fewer in-your-face signs of instability, such as the avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapsing, which were a staple of conditions last week. However, when we dug deeper (get it), we found the ingredients for a human-triggered avalanche in every snowpit we explored. All failed and propagated on the surface hoar or near surface facets buried 1-2 feet deep, with results varying from ECTV to ECTP21 indicating human-triggered avalanches are likely. 

I told my riding partners that, in some ways, I am more worried about people triggering avalanches this week than last because last week, incredibly obvious signs of instability and avalanche warnings largely kept people out of avalanche terrain. This week, the feedback is not as clear, and folks may get tempted by steeper slopes. Our recommendation is to play the long game. Persistent weak layers demand persistent patience. Our best tool to have safe and enjoyable days in the mountains remains conservative terrain selection and sticking to slopes less than 30 degrees. 

Full Snow Observation Report

The stripes of surface hoar we found in the Centennials do not seem quite as prominent or reactive as those in the Lionhead area. I was disappointed that we did not get the visibility windows we needed to really go avalanche hunting, but the weak layers told a story that is largely consistent with the surrounding areas. 

The riding is getting really good. The snow is supportable with excellent traction. 

The danger was CONSIDERABLE but from what I was able to see, it seemed like it was moving to the lower end of CONS. Not totally convinced. 

N. Gaddy
Cooke City
Woody Ridge
Avalanche on Woody Ridge
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

West facing slope 9600' on Woody Ridge, North of the "Ozarks." Appeared to be new 1/29. Observed numerous older crowns and avalanches on all aspects throughout the day. Lots of whoomphing and collapsing, enough to shake small trees. Sorry the images arent great. 

Full Snow Observation Report

Accidentally deleted by ZP re-entered on 01/30/2024

Anonymous
Cooke City
Round Lake
Partially buried, uninjured snowmobiler
Snow Obsdrvation includes images
Snow Obs contain video

A rider from MN triggered an avalanche immediately north of Round Lake. He was caught, pulled his airbag and was buried with his head out, under his sled. He attributes this to his airbag. His partners dug him out and he was uninjured.

Full Snow Observation Report

Wesley (218) 382-0065

Anonymous
Northern Gallatin
Hyalite - main fork
Falling jce

Not much snow but I thought it may be worth noting that I saw alot of ice shedding off climbs at unnamed wall today and have heard reports of wet slides coming over climbs in the last couple days

Full Snow Observation Report
GNFAC
Cooke City
COOKE CITY
Recent avalanches, collapses, instability
Snow Obsdrvation includes images
Snow Obs contain video

We rode to the cabins in Fisher Creek and skied up Wades World. A slide from last week was visible and we dug a few hundred feet above it. A 70 cm wind slab broke on the facets in our stability test and also in the avalanche. We got 2 large collapses as we approached the crown of the slide and another an hour later near Henderson Mtn. On Henderson Bench we could see 2 new avalanches that looked fresh, possibly cornice triggered. It was not windy, so windloading was not the trigger. Regardless, it was disconcerting. Across the Fisher Creek valley we could see a slide on the nose of Sheep Mountain on the same slope that killed a snowmobiler in 2015.

Whumpfs yesterday and today, recent slides, and a poor snow structure is worrisome.

Full Snow Observation Report

I started the day surprised I did not get collapses, but after I made my video I got 3 collapses and the clouds lifted and I saw 2 slides on Henderson Ridge. Beau noted them too. I learned a lesson about making my video too early in the day!

I was with an AP reporter today which was a bit of a pain in the ass, but that was expected.

G. Dittmar
Northern Madison
Cedar Mtn.
Naturals on Cedar Mountain SE bowl.
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Natural Avalanches on Cedar Mtn. SE bowl. Occurred sometime between the 4pm on 1/28- 9am on 1/29. 

Full Snow Observation Report
GNFAC
Cooke City
Miller Ridge
Natural Avalanche on Miller Ridge
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

This avalanche released naturally on 1/29/2024. It was seen from the Miller Creek road and looks similar to all the other avalanches in the area.

Full Snow Observation Report
Sam
Northern Gallatin
Hyalite - main fork
Poor structure and natural wet loose in Hyalite

Numerous collapses in any terrain with a non-wind effected snowpack over 70 cm. Recent warm weather leading to settlement of the upper pack and a much denser slab. 3x natural size 1 natural wet loose off palace butte in steep rocky terrain, which happened before noon. Below 8000 feet the snowpack was moist to the ground in the pm.

Full Snow Observation Report
D. Sandberg
Bridger Range
Bradley Meadow
Mixed test scores, warming snow surface in Bradley Meadows

Skied and dug in the trees W of Bradley Meadows at 7690’. Ski quality was terrible as the upper 20cm was becoming very heavy and wet, even on this NW aspect, in the trees. It was 48 degrees air temp at 2pm.
Dug two pits, each with slightly different aspects, and got mixed results just 25’ away:

NW: ECTP25 down 55 on 2mm facets, ECTX x 1, HS of 85.

W: ECTP26 down 67 on 2mm facets, ECTX x 2, HS of 97. 

No other signs of instability, and there were quite a few skiers out, none of whom mentioned anything other than the poor ski quality. 

Full Snow Observation Report
C. Pruden
Southern Madison
Telemark Meadows
Instability in tele meadows area

Observed collapsing and shooting cracks near top of meadows around 7700 feet. Dug a pit in this area as well. Snow was 80 cm deep. Our test yielded unstable results - ECTP 11 35cm down on the obvious surgery facets. Slab seemed to be stiffening with warmer temps. 

Full Snow Observation Report
Anonymous
Southern Gallatin
Telemark Meadows
Poor score and woomfing in Telemeadows

ECT P 7 at 7800ft and West-Northwest facing slope. Broke approx 6-8in from the top of the snow. A LOT of woofmping pretty much everywhere we went.

Full Snow Observation Report
Anonymous
Bridger Range
Wolverine Bowl
Heavy Wet Snow in the Bridgers
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

Heavy and wet snow from the top of the ridge down to the Bridger Bowl lot. Observed large pinwheels, old avy debris on 30 degree slopes. 2 finger facets 15cm down, depth hoar still intact and showed no signs of rounding. Shooting cracks underfoot while skinning.

Full Snow Observation Report
GNFAC
Cooke City
Henderson Mountain
Collapsing around Cooke City
Snow Obsdrvation includes images
Snow Obs contain video

We skied onto the debris of the Henderson Mountain avalanche. It went as wide as it could and broke under the dense wind slab on facets (not surface hoar). We dug in the flank at about 10,100' to confirm that it released on facets under a wind slab. Afterward we skied over to Daisy Pass and had numerous large, thunderous whumps, both there and back. At Daisy Pass/Chimney Rock avalanche (from 1/25) we had poor visibility and could not see the debris or paths. I skied out looking for signs, but decided that wandering in runout zones with no visibility was a bad idea, so we returned back to the sleds on Henderson Bench.

Full Snow Observation Report

We skied down Marty's to the road and could see the avalanche from Ian. I tried getting the slope further uphill to go as we descended, but could not. Given the whumpfs, I bet someone could. It was a 25 min skin from Marty's to Daisy Pass on the road.

R. Sluytman
Southern Gallatin
Fawn Pass
Collapsing weak layers on bighorn pass trail area

30+ whumps on any slope with wind slab deeper than 5”. Happened on slopes from 0-30 degrees stayed off of and away from anything steeper. 

Full Snow Observation Report
Anonymous
Bridger Range
Bridger Peak
Avalanche off Bridger Peak
Snow Obsdrvation includes images

 Slide triggered from above (ridge line) onto east facing slide path on Bridger Ridge. Knocked off microwave-sized cornice while skinning which fell and triggered the slope below. We had zero intention of skiing that slope or any like it on todays tour. Slide seemed to start very slowly and then propagated North (to the left in the pictures) before running down the slide path. Looking at the slope no parties or individuals were present around us or in the run out to the best of our observations. Not surprised by the instability at play and yet another reason to heed to the forecast. 

Full Snow Observation Report