Northern Gallatin

We found bottomless facets on the ski up through the low elevation trees. Once we got close to the ridge we dug a 130 cm pit that was completely unsupportable. It was just layers of facets on facets, ECTX. We then skinned to the top and dug another pit HS100cm, CTX, ECTN25 about 1.5 feet down. There was a supportable slab here and stability was still good. Once this area gets wind and snow I think the danger will bump up quickly. There is so much weak snow around I have a hard time believing it can support much additional weight.

Skiers near Mt Blackmore noted loose snow avalanches with ski cuts. This one slid for about 50 feet on a 34 degree slope. This location did not present any signs of significant wind loading. Photo: E. Schreier

Dug on a sheltered N aspect at 9,000 feet below Alex Lowe Peak. Performed an ECT with results of ECTN 12 at 30cm deep and ECTP 21 near the ground.  
 

We also observed widespread sluffing of the new, low-density snow throughout the day, as well as increasing wind transport in the afternoon. 

Yesterday we toured around Mt Blackmore. We decided to make conservative choices and stay out of avalanche terrain and did not dig a full pit. Next to a meadow we did ski, on a northeast aspect above Blackmore lake, we did a quick ski cut on to a steeper slope. This cut readily released the new snow (~8in at this particular location) and it slid for about 50 feet on a 34 degree slope. This location did not present any signs of significant wind loading. The interface below the snow from the weekend will certainly be something to look out with more snow on the way.

From Big Sky Ski Patrol 1/21/23: "skier triggered a surface wind slab in Wyoming Bowl that broke 8-12” deep. It propagated to an estimated 150’ wide- SS, R1/D1.5... The slide was small, no one was hurt, and the avalanche was reported (which we appreciate), with no further public involvement other than the trigger."

Bad quality but a D2, R3 natural in Flanders cirque. Looked like it was just the new snow, but hard to say.... on a NW aspect around 9,500 feet. Photo: O. Desroches