Northern Gallatin

On Monday, March 22, skiers toured west of Blackmore Lake and observed a natural slide of the new snow below a cornice. Photo: E. Schreier

Skiers booting up the N Coulior of the Mummy (from Flanders), triggered this small 6" soft slab avalanche without consequence. Photo: H. Coppolillo

We left the car with subdued expectations this morning, but were happy to find the new snow bonding well where it hadn’t been slab-ified by the wind. Near the top of Mummy’s North Couloir a shallow (<6”) soft slab broke at my feet as I was wallowing up the boot pack and ran a decent way down the gully- harmless in that spot but with more exposed terrain above we turned tail and enjoyed some excellent skiing. No other signs of instability, but the new snow that fell throughout the morning was lower density and will transport easily if and when the wind returns.

Yesterday we toured in the area west of Blackmore Lake. We observed a natural slide of the new snow layer below a cornice (attached photo). The new snow felt poorly bonded on all aspects we travelled on (North, East and South). An unfortunate gear malfunction cut our time short and a pit was not dug. Multiple 'ski cuts' on the skin track revealed the new snow had the energy to move, but, at least in areas without substantial wind loading, did not form a cohesive slab.

Skied Maid of the Mist today. Tracks were on the slope from what seemed to be the day prior. Dug a quick pit and found 27 cm of storm snow on top of a solid (1F+) layer of ice forms about 5 cm thick. Slope angle was around 28-30 degrees, ENE aspect. No wind transport, short bursts of S2 snow with steady light flurries all day. Both CT and ECT tests yielded no remarkable results. Skied the slope and fun was had.

A pair of skiers were ascending the east-face of Alex Lowe Peak when they triggered an avalanche that broke 150' above them. One skier was caught and carried 250 vertical feet. No one was injured or buried.

A pair of skiers were ascending the east-face of Alex Lowe Peak when they triggered an avalanche that broke 150' above them. One skier was caught and carried 250 vertical feet. No one was injured or buried. Photo: Anonymous