Northern Gallatin

Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.

Bridger Bowl
Bridger Range
Code
WL-N-R2-D2-O
Elevation
8500
Aspect Range
E-SE-S-SW
Latitude
45.81560
Longitude
-110.92300
Notes

Ski patrols at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C. observed many natural wet slabs and wet loose avalanches in closed terrain, and nearby backcountry terrain, throughout the day on 3/27/22. 

Number of slides
15
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Images
Natural wet slides at Big Sky
Natural wet loose at YC
Natural wet loose, N. Bowl
Natural wet slide, Bridger Gully
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
21-22

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

Avalanche Details: Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Apr 1, 2022
Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
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    • "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

    Avalanche Details: Explosive and skier triggered wet slabs at Y.C.
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Mar 31, 2022
    Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
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    • Natural slabs on Sphinx and Cedar

    Cedar Mtn.
    Northern Madison
    Code
    WS-N-R1-D1.5-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect
    SE
    Aspect Range
    SE-N
    Latitude
    45.22680
    Longitude
    -111.51200
    Number of slides
    2
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    1
    D size
    1.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Images
    Natural wet slab on Cedar Mtn.
    Natural slab Aalanche on the Sphinx
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    21-22

    Many natural wet slides at Bridger Bowl

    Bridger Bowl
    Bridger Range
    Code
    WL-N-R2-D2-O
    Elevation
    8000
    Aspect
    E
    Latitude
    45.81560
    Longitude
    -110.92300
    Notes

    Bridger Bowl ski patrol reported five natural wet avalanches that occurred in closed terrain. Many were D1-D1.5, one was R2-D2.

    A small natural out of the sunnyside of lower Job 3... at 12.30pm.

    [around 1:30pm] a small natural (similar in size to the Job 3 release) ran out of Baldwins Bad Idea Butress and put a very small pile on the North Bowl Road.

    A small natural ran out of LeMons around 3pm, and the High-T fence between tight squeeze and never never land cliffs was taken 300ft downhill by a 2' deep wet slide release around that time.

    A larger natural R2D2 ran out of Catch and Release late afternoon that left a medium sized pile of debris in Bridger Gully above the Bears.

    Number of slides
    5
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet loose-snow avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    2
    D size
    2
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Slab Thickness
    24.0 inches
    Vertical Fall
    400ft
    Images
    Natural wet slide at Bridger debris
    Natural wet slide at Bridger
    Slab Thickness units
    inches
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    21-22
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