Northern Gallatin

Two large slides on Wheeler Mtn

Wheeler Mountain
Northern Gallatin
Code
N-R4-D3.5-O
Elevation
7900
Aspect
S
Aspect Range
S-E
Latitude
45.50900
Longitude
-111.06700
Notes

We skied Wheeler via South Cottonwood and found that the two gullies on the East and South East aspects had recently run in their entirety. We could only see the crown on the South East gully but it appeared to have broke on the steepest part of the slope near the top approximate 3-4ft deep and was the width of the gully. Both avalanches ran the full length and width of their gullies, breaking several trees along the way. The East debris pile was about 25ft deep and the South East was 15ft deep. The East rounded the corner into the ravine at the bottom and also ran about 200ft into the forest. A couple larger trees in the path that were not broken had their branches stripped off the bottom 30ft. Interestingly, the narrow meadow between the South East gully and the South East meadow you recently reported slides on has not slid. Also, we had no propagation or collapsing in our pits.

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
4
D size
3.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
36.0 inches
Images
Wheeler Mtn avalanches from far
Wheeler Mtn. natural avalanche: Stripped trees opposite East gully
Wheeler Mtn Natural Avalanche: East gully
Wheeler Mtn Natural Avalanche: South East gully
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
19-20

We skied Wheeler via South Cottonwood and found that the two gullies on the East and South East aspects had recently run in their entirety. We could only see the crown on the South East gully but it appeared to have broke on the steepest part of the slope near the top approximate 3-4ft deep and was the width of the gully. Both avalanches ran the full length and width of their gullies, breaking several trees along the way. The East debris pile was about 25ft deep and the South East was 15ft deep.

Avalanche Details: Two large slides on Wheeler Mtn
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Feb 24, 2020
Northern Gallatin, 2020-02-16
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    • We skied Wheeler via South Cottonwood and found that the two gullies on the East and South East aspects had recently run in their entirety. We could only see the crown on the South East gully but it appeared to have broke on the steepest part of the slope near the top approximate 3-4ft deep and was the width of the gully. Both avalanches ran the full length and width of their gullies, breaking several trees along the way. The East debris pile was about 25ft deep and the South East was 15ft deep.

    Avalanche Details: Two large slides on Wheeler Mtn
    Northern Gallatin, 2020-02-16
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  • Large 480px
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  • Original

    • We skied Wheeler via South Cottonwood and found that the two gullies on the East and South East aspects had recently run in their entirety. We could only see the crown on the South East gully but it appeared to have broke on the steepest part of the slope near the top approximate 3-4ft deep and was the width of the gully. Both avalanches ran the full length and width of their gullies, breaking several trees along the way. The East debris pile was about 25ft deep and the South East was 15ft deep.

    Avalanche Details: Two large slides on Wheeler Mtn
    Northern Gallatin, 2020-02-16
    Access other image sizes:
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  • Large 480px
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  • Original

    • Natural avalanche east of the top of Lick Creek

    Lick Creek
    Northern Gallatin
    Code
    SS-N-R2-D1.5
    Aspect
    W
    Latitude
    45.52430
    Longitude
    -110.95600
    Notes

    From an observation, "This activity appears to have occurred naturally. No signs of a skin track or skiing. No accurate indication of when it happened, tho appeared fairly recent with no new wind loading." 

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    2
    D size
    1.5
    Problem Type
    New Snow
    Images
    Natural avalanche east of the top of Lick Creek_close
    Natural avalanche east of the top of Lick Creek_far
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    19-20

    Natural avalanche on Alex Lowe Peak

    Alex Lowe Peak
    Northern Gallatin
    Code
    HS-N-R4-D3-O
    Elevation
    9600
    Aspect
    N
    Latitude
    45.42720
    Longitude
    -111.01400
    Notes

    From an email:

    "Near the ridge line of Mt. Blackmore we noticed the East facing slope close to the ridge line was clearly wind loaded and felt collapsing and cracking under our skis. None of those cracks shot out however. We dug a pit on an E- SE facing slope near the ridge line and found no signs of stability, however we ran into a group on our way up who said they dug a pit in a similar area and got an ECTP-22. Looking N-NW from the ridge line we saw some an avalanche crown on the adjacent face (Alex Lowe Peak)."

    This is the second time this avalanche path released. See a photo from 1/25/20 HERE.

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Hard slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    4
    D size
    3
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Slab Thickness
    48.0 inches
    Vertical Fall
    1000ft
    Slab Width
    1200.00ft
    Images
    Natural avalanche on Alex Lowe Peak_close
    Natural Avalanche on Alex Lowe Peak_far
    Slab Thickness units
    inches
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    19-20
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