One of several natural avalanches in the upper South Cottonwood drainage that skiers saw while in Hyalite. Photo: L. Gabrielson
One of several natural avalanches in the upper South Cottonwood drainage that skiers saw while in Hyalite. Photo: L. Gabrielson
From the ridge between Blackmore and Elephant we saw multiple natural large slab avalanches in the upper South Cotttonwood drainage. More natural avalanches not shown, mostly on northerly aspects. Appeared fairly recent and deep. Decided against skiing Alex Lowe and opted for good turns on Blackmore. Warm with moderate/strong southwest winds, minor transport.
Skinned to the top of big Ellis completing 2 ECTs along the way. The first pit was at an elevation of 7946 feet, north of the burn, east aspect, exposed to the sky/not shaded. Snow depth 100cm. 2 buried crust layers, ECTNR. We did get the column to fracture below the lower crust layer by prying on it after the ECT test. The hardness of the faceted snow at the ground was 4 fingers trending to 1 finger. The second pit was completed at an elevation of 8209 feet, top of the burn, east aspect, exposed to the sky. Snow depth 120 cm, 2 buried crust layers, ECTNR. The column failed at the ground post ECT via the same prying as previous column. Hardness of the faceted snow at the ground was 4 fingers. We experienced no signs of instability during the day. The skiing was good. There were a few old ski tracks, partially buried by recent snow.
From obs on 03/07/2024: "Big slide below the radio tower. Kept our distance but looks like a large crown. The base up Portal is really inconsistent. Some spots it’s great and others you sink up to your chest. Had 4 instances of whompfing on fairly flat ground in the trees. 1st picture is from today and 2nd is from Sunday"
This large avalanche was observed on Sunday, 03/03/2024 by riders in Portal Creek. Photo taken today, 03/07/2024. Photo: G. Edwards
Big slide below the radio tower. Kept our distance but looks like a large crown. The base up Portal is really inconsistent. Some spots it’s great and others you sink up to your chest. Had 4 instances of whompfing on fairly flat ground in the trees. 1st picture is from today and 2nd is from Sunday
Thanks for all your hard work!
From obs on 03/03/2024: "White touring in the History Rock area, I spotted a couple of recent slides on the NW shoulder of Mt. Blackmore. From a distance, these look like dry-loose slides on the recent snow interface around 8,500ft. on a N-NE aspect."
Skiers from History Rock saw a few recent natural avalanches on Mt. Blackmore that likely happened during or near the end of a storm on 03/02-03/03. Photo: E. Webb
