Northern Gallatin

Natural and human triggered wind slabs in the Bridger Range

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
SS-N-D2
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes
From an email:
"I toured up Bridger today... We found reactive windslabs at the ridgeline. On the drive up we observed a few small avalanches in Mundies Bowl and a larger (D2) slide just north of Saddle’s north summit. All appeared to be windslabs that released at the ridgeline. We dug a pit a few hundred feet below the ridge above the entrance to 2 Way and Stuper. I’ve attached a photo of this, as well as of windslabs at the ridgeline and one of the flank of the slide on Saddle"
Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
D size
2
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Images
Wind slab avalanches on Saddle Peak
Human triggered windslabs at Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl Snowpit Profile
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
19-20

From obs.: "New snow from 24 hours ago blew around the ridge tops from 11pm last night until 7am this morning ~30mph. This soft 4 finger slab was about 6”-7” deep and broke on a convex roll.... We were assessing the terrain carefully and expected this result." Photo: R. Christian-Frederick

Avalanche Details: Small intentionally triggered wind slab in Beehive Basin
Northern Madison, 2019-12-01
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    • Skier triggered loose snow and natural wind slabs at Bridger

    Bridger Peak
    Bridger Range
    Code
    L-R1-D1.5
    Elevation
    8300
    Aspect
    E
    Latitude
    45.77010
    Longitude
    -110.94000
    Notes

    Skiers saw natural soft slabs that broke below the cornice along the ridge near Slushman's lift.

    Another group reported: "I spotted a buddy skiing the lower nose and he started a couple of slow moving sluffs, well in his wake... We did see a recent point release in that zone, from a ski track, that ran over 200 feet in steep terrain."

    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Loose-snow avalanche
    R size
    1
    D size
    1.5
    Problem Type
    New Snow
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    19-20

    Skier triggered dry loose at Beehive

    Beehive Basin
    Northern Madison
    Code
    L-ASc-R1-D1-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect
    W
    Latitude
    45.34070
    Longitude
    -111.39100
    Notes

    We were able to trigger dry loose avalanche in the 3-5" of new snow that ran on firm underlying crusts.

    Number of slides
    2
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Loose-snow avalanche
    Trigger
    Skier
    Trigger Modifier
    c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
    R size
    1
    D size
    1
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    New Snow
    Images
    Skier triggered dry loose
    Small skier triggered dry loose
    Attached Videos
    New Snow Instabilities, Beehive - 30 Nov 2019
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    19-20

    Obs from skiers in Hyalite: "A pit on a SE aspect at 9600' [near Flanders] was 75cm deep and looked pretty good, except for the crust near the surface that's sitting on top of some facets, which failed as I isolated the column. I did not notice any cracking, collapsing, or recent activity on this layer, but it will likely be something to keep in mind as we get more snow. We noticed the same crust atop near-surface facets on a N aspect in Maid of the Mist last weekend, although its crustiness varies, depending on aspect." Photo: S. Reinsel


    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Nov 30, 2019GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Dec 1, 2019
    Northern Gallatin, 2019-11-30
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