14-15

This slide was seen just above the divide between Buck Creek and McAtee Basin just south of Big Sky. We dug a snowpit below it and to the left and found an obvious layer of 4-8mm surface hoar crystals buried 1.5 feet deep it was reactive in stability tests. Not a problem everywhere but it does exist in places. Don't get surprised. Snowpit profile here: http://www.mtavalanche.com/images/15/buckmcatee-divide-snowpit?size=_original Photo: GNFAC


Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Jan 7, 2015GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 8, 2015GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Jan 9, 2015
Northern Madison, 2015-01-06
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    • This avalanche occurred on a N facing slope just south of Big Sky. It was similar to 3 others observed. One occurred just above the red X where we found large surface hoar crystals buried 1.5 feet deep that were reactive in stability tests. Snowpit profile HERE and photo of other slide HERE. Photo: GNFAC


    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Jan 7, 2015GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 8, 2015GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Jan 9, 2015
    Northern Madison, 2015-01-06
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    • GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Jan 4, 2015

    Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

    Bridger Range  

    The Bridger Range has received nearly eighteen inches of new snow over the past thirty six hours totaling 1.4 inches of SWE (snow water equivalent). The primary concern today will be avalanches failing on the new snow – old snow interface. A few days of cold-clear weather prior to the storm may have created a layer of surface hoar or near surface facets that is now capped by the new snow. We are not sure if this layer is widespread in the Bridger Range, but the fact it exists in many other areas is an indicator it may also exist here.

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