A skier saw widespread small dry loose avalanches in Hyalite on 10/22. Photo: B. VandenBos
Northern Gallatin
Backcountry.com did a social media survey and found that many of us could use an avalanche class. Don't hesitate to sign up for one. Even a one-hour avalanche awareness class is a great place to start. Check out our Education Calendar for an expanding list of classes being offered in southwest Montana. Many are free.
Snow distribution high in the Northern Gallatin Range on October 19th.
Photo: G. Antonioli
October snow drifting on Mt. Blackmore after heavy snowfall and strong west winds on October 19th.
Photo: G. Antonioli
Wind was blowing and drifting recent snow in the Bridger Range the morning of October 15th. Photo: B. VandenBos
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Oct 19, 2020
By morning of October 11 most mountain ranges were white at the higher elevations. This picture of Saddle Peak was taken from Stone Creek up Bridger Canyon. About .6-.8" of precipitation fell throughout southwest Montana. The Fisher Creek Snotel outside of Cooke City shows 6" of snow fell at 9,100 feet. Only time will tell what melts and what sticks around, but it sure is a good sign! Photo: GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Oct 14, 2020
Skier triggered wet loose at Fairy Lake
From IG message on June 11, 2020: "...Just wanted to let you know, I was up by fairy lake this morning, and the new snow we got earlier this week was very much still a hazard. Skinning up the fairy lake basin was deceptive, because most of the new snow had melted out there and it was just refrozen corn, but most of the S and E aspects of that area slid naturally on the new snow. I also triggered a small point release on a NE solar aspect that ended up entraining a large amount of snow as it went and was again surprising because both my partner and I had felt quite safe on the snow we’d been on throughout our approach. It certainly caught us off guard and we got out of there safely, but was just a good reminder to not get complacent."