Northern Gallatin

Cracking, whumphing in Beehive

Beehive Basin
Northern Gallatin
Code
Latitude
45.33140
Longitude
-111.39100
Notes

Multiple parties reported signs of instability in the form of either cracking or whumpfing or poor results in stability tests while skiing in Beehive Basin on 12/17. 

From obs: "One pocket in a glade of one of our lines had a short shooting crack ahead of my skis as I set our skintrack. ~1ft. of snow propagated uphill onto my skis." E.Webb

"ECTN x 5 and ECP x 1, down 45 (shallower spot as compared to the other 5). PST 30/100 SF, 60/100 end down 58. PST 40/100 end down 55. Two large whumpfs nearby. All obs were at 8700', W aspect (meadow between gem chute and next chute to the South). " D. Sandberg 

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Images
Cracks in Beehive
Snow Observation Source
Beehive Basin Instability
Mixed observations in Beehive Basin
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year
23-24

Beehive Basin Instability

Date
Activity
Skiing

We skied two west-facing slopes and one east-facing slope between 8,500 - 9,200ft. on the shoulders of Beehive Basin Sunday morning. The ice crust interface in the lower-middle snowpack seems to sit between two layers of rather incohesive, sugary snow. We did not get results on several hand shears which is thought to be because of the lack of a slab above the ice crust in the snowpack. 

One pocket in a glade of one of our lines had a short shooting crack ahead of my skis as I set our skintrack. ~1ft. of snow propagated uphill onto my skis. With further examination (pictures), it seems that the slab in this pocket, located in a small northwest-facing aspect was more cohesive than other slopes skied today. 

We did not see any other signs of instability during our tour. One natural, likely old avalanche was observed closer to Beehive Peak, on the east-facing steep section of Beehive Basin's west shoulder. 

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Beehive Basin
Observer Name
E. Webb

Natural Avalanche on Mount Bole

Mt. Bole
Northern Gallatin
Code
N-R2-D2
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.41600
Longitude
-110.99800
Notes

Natural avalanche on Mt. Bole. Observed taken 12/14/23. Avalanche likely released the previous weekend, around 12/9/23. 

From obs: "We were ice climbing on Mummy 3 and 4 yesterday and as we looked across the valley to Mount Bole, we could see evidence of avalanche activity on the NE aspect of the peak. It looked quite big in length but could tell a depth from that far away." 

 

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Images
Evidence of Avalanche Activity on Mount Bole
Snow Observation Source
Evidence of Avalanche Activity on Mount Bole
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
23-24

From obs: "We were ice climbing on Mummy 3 and 4 yesterday and as we looked across the valley to Mount Bole, we could see evidence of avalanche activity on the NE aspect of the peak. It looked quite big in length but could tell a depth from that far away." Photo: R. Dorn

Photo taken 12/14/23. Avalanche likely released the previous weekend, around 12/9/23. 

Avalanche Details: Natural Avalanche on Mount Bole
Northern Gallatin, 2023-12-15
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    • Evidence of Avalanche Activity on Mount Bole

    Date
    Activity
    Ice Climbing

    We were ice climbing on Mummy 3 and 4 yesterday and as we looked across the valley to Mount Bole, we could see evidence of avalanche activity on the NE aspect of the peak. It looked quite big in length but could tell a depth from that far away. 

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Location (from list)
    Mt. Bole
    Observer Name
    Ryan Dorn

    Variable snow depth and surface hoar in Little Bear

    Date
    Activity
    Snowmobiling

    We drove and then rode up Little Bear this morning on the 3138 road (also snowmobile route #900).  Once 3138 splits off from 980 there was mostly enough snow for riding on the road without issues but little else.  Snow depth varied from 4-6 inches, down to 2-3 inches in sun and wind exposed areas, to as much as 18 inches or so higher up (8400').  We also saw some spectacular surface hoar- probably 1-2" tall in places with extremely sugary snow underneath; often so sugary we weren't leaving well defined tracks behind our sleds.  As with everywhere else, we heard some collapses while off of our machines.  

    Region
    Northern Gallatin
    Observer Name
    USFS Bozeman Snow Rangers
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