Northern Gallatin
On 3/23/23 skiers in Hyalite saw this older avalanche on Alex Lowe peak. Photo: W. Casper
Avalanche Details: Natural avalanche on Alex Lowe Pk
Northern Gallatin, 2023-03-24
Changing Conditions in Hyalite
Date
Activity
Skiing
We toured up towards Mt. Blackmore, and dug a pit at 9,800' on an east facing aspect. The the height of snow was 6' (HS=184cm). We did not get any propagation in our pit from our ECT tests. The snow was increasing in intensity by the afternoon. There was ~2" of new snow as we skied out. With the new snow we are worried about the weak layers becoming more reactive again. We saw several layers of weak, sugary snow in the middle of the snowpack all the way to the ground. With more snow in the forecast new snow avalanches and avalanches that break deeper in the snowpack like the one reported on Elephant Mountain on 03/23/2023 could become likely.
Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Mt Blackmore
Observer Name
Alex Marienthal, Alex Haddad, Shannon Regan
Photo of deep slab avalanche on Elephant Mtn from above. Photo: W. Casper 3/23/23
Avalanche Details: Deep slab on Elephant Mtn.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Mar 25, 2023
Northern Gallatin, 2023-03-24
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Mar 25, 2023
Deep slab on Elephant Mtn.
Elephant Mountain
Northern Gallatin
Code
HS-R3-D3-O
Elevation
9800
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.44210
Longitude
-110.98600
Notes
Large avalanche seen in the Bunny Ears on Elephant Mtn in Hyalite. Deepest part of crown estimated to be 8-10'. Observed by two parties on 3/23/23. Unsure on exact timing of the avalanche, but likely was between 3/22 and 3/23. An ice climber had a photo of the slope from the afternoon of 3/22 and the slide had not happened yet. Unknown trigger. On the evening of 3/23, a group of skiers saw multiple other tracks on slopes above and adjacent to the crown, but unsure if those triggered it or turned around after seeing the crown.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
R size
3
D size
3
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
72.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1100ft
Slab Width
500.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Saw this very large avalanche in NE face of Elephant this morning (3/23/23). Skiers left flank appears at a distance to be 8-10'. Photo: C. Babineau-Z
deep slab on Elephant
Date
Activity
Skiing
Compiled from multiple observations-
One observed noted "Large avalanche in the Bunny Ears on Elephant Mtn. Best guess is HS-N-R3/4-D3-O."
Second observer noted: "Skiers left flank appears at a distance to be 8-10' and by the looks of the bed surface I'd guess this was on advanced facets on an early season (late Oct/early Nov) ice crust."
Third observed submitted photos of slide from above.
Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Elephant Mountain
Observer Name
Multiple
Sluffing and wet slides on blackmore
Mt Blackmore
Northern Gallatin
Code
WL-ASc-R1-D1
Latitude
45.44190
Longitude
-111.00000
Notes
From obs: "I toured up Blackmore today and saw a lot of sluffing on steep terrain and very wet snow on s terrain. I pushed off a small wet slide that built a good amount of momentum and could've run far if the terrain allowed. I did dig a pit down to the new old snow interface and had no results in an etc."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year