Northern Gallatin

Elephant Mountain natural avalanche, Hyalite

Elephant Mountain
Northern Gallatin
Code
HS-N
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.43820
Longitude
-110.99000
Notes

Ice climbers across Hyalite Canyon near G2 saw a wide and deep crown across the east face of Elephant Mountain.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Images
Deep crown on Elephant 3
Deep crown on Elephant
Deep crown on Elephant 2
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
20-21

The Friends of the Avalanche Center, in partnership with the City of Bozeman, put in a Beacon Park at Beall Park. It is located on the north side of the Beall building between N. Bozeman Ave. and the ice rink. Stop by with your avalanche transceiver and do a few practice rescue drills. Your partner will thank you. Photo: S. Regan


Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Feb 24, 2021GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Feb 25, 2021
Out of Advisory Area, 2021-02-23
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    • Natural on Ridge North of Blackmore

    Mt Blackmore
    Northern Gallatin
    Code
    SS-N-R3-D2.5-O
    Elevation
    9100
    Aspect
    N
    Latitude
    45.45310
    Longitude
    -110.99700
    Notes

    From Obs: "Driving back from Grotto Falls trailhead, from the east side of the reservoir I could see this slide on the ridge that extends north from Blackmore above Blackmore lake. The slide was on a north-facing slope around 9,100', large enough to see with the naked eye and clear as day with binoculars. The crown looked multiple feet deep and either meandered, partially hidden from view, by another ridge or a substantial second avalanche a hundred feet away."

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    3
    D size
    2.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Images
    Crown north of Blackmore
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    20-21

    From Obs: "This slide on the ridge extends north from Blackmore above Blackmore lake. The slide was on a north-facing slope around 9,100'. The crown looked multiple feet deep and either meandered, partially hidden from view, by another ridge or a substantial second avalanche a hundred feet away." 

    Avalanche Details: Natural on Ridge North of Blackmore
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Feb 22, 2021GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 23, 2021GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Feb 24, 2021
    Northern Gallatin, 2021-02-22
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    • Ridge North of Blackmore

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Driving back from Grotto Falls trailhead, from the east side of the reservoir I could see this slide on the ridge that extends north from Blackmore above Blackmore lake. The slide was on a north facing slope around 9,100', large enough to see with the naked eye and clear as day with binoculars. The crown looked multiple feet deep and either meandered, partially hidden from view, by another ridge or a substantial second avalanche a hundred feet away.

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Location (from list)
    Mt Blackmore
    Observer Name
    Avalanche Ridge North of Blackmore

    Hyalite, Upper Green Sleeves

    Date
    Activity
    Ice Climbing

    Stable snowpack between hangover and upper green sleeves (ugs) while hiking. As soon as we crossed into the wind loaded gully we experienced increasingly slabby snow structure with failure. No snow pits or stability tests

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Location (from list)
    Hyalite - main fork
    Observer Name
    Clay Kincer

    Mt Blackmore East Ridge

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Went up the east ridge of Mount Blackmore this morning. Winds were strong in the basin and along the ridgeline from the SW. Lots of snow being transported and wind slabs forming.

    Dug a pit on an SE facing, 23deg slope at 9500ft out of curiosity to see what the pit would tell me in contrast to the giant avalanche from a few days prior. Facets at the ground were about 175cm from the surface and unreactive in my CT (had a CT5 on a density change about 8" down). Switched to a deep tap and got a DT4 with a dramatic sudden collapse. Skied a few laps in the low angled trees. Had some wind slab cracking along the ridgeline but otherwise no other signs of instability.

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Location (from list)
    Mt Blackmore
    Observer Name
    Mike Lavery

    Lick Creek back side

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Back side off top. Wind blown. Skied in, not sure when it broke. Continued skiing to the lower angle terrain a short distance away.

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Location (from list)
    Lick Creek
    Observer Name
    Randall

    Natural Deep Slab on A. Lowe Peak

    Alex Lowe Peak
    Northern Gallatin
    Code
    HS-N-R3-D2.5-O
    Elevation
    9500
    Aspect
    N
    Latitude
    45.42720
    Longitude
    -111.01400
    Notes

    We saw this crown on 2/20/21. It likely broke 2/19 or 2/18.

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Hard slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    3
    D size
    2.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Slab Thickness
    48.0 inches
    Vertical Fall
    1400ft
    Slab Width
    150.00ft
    Images
    Natural Deep Slab on A Lowe Peak 2
    Natural Deep Slab on A Lowe Peak
    Slab Thickness units
    inches
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    20-21
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