GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Dec 14, 2014
Bridger Range Gallatin Range Madison Range Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Last night at the Bozeman Ice Festival I was mesmerized by incredible athletes pulling acrobatic moves on plywood and plastic. When out of nowhere, I found myself more mesmerized by a white substance falling from the sky. Yes, it was actually snow! It has been so long I almost forgot what falling snow looked like.
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Dec 13, 2014
Bridger Range Gallatin Range Madison Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Eric Knoff performs stability tests on a NW aspect on Lionhead near West Yellowstone. The snowpack is very thin and weak. Despite recent warm weather, facets at the ground persist. Additionally, the warm days combined with some clear nights have started forming small facets near the surface. Photo: GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Dec 13, 2014
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Dec 12, 2014
Bridger Range Gallatin Range Madison Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Below zero F weather during the second week of November created a layer of weak facets at the ground. The strength of this layer varies a lot from one slope to the next. In some places warm weather has helped this weak layer gain a little strength. In other places warm weather has had no effect. Many slopes are relatively stable while some with the right combination of a slab and this weak layer remain unstable.
This slope was triggered by a rider on Thursday, Dec 11. Exposed rocks near by tell us the snowpack is thinner and weaker on this slope, but had just enough of a slab on it to produce an avalanche. It was triggered after the rider had already been on it several times. Photo: Anon.
On Thursday, Dec 11, a snowmobiler was climbing this slope after making several highmarks when it avalanched. He was near the top, kept climbing and got off the releasing slab. His partners were parked near the bottom but facing the other way and never saw it happen. Having your sled facing away is good, but always watch your partners. Photo: Anon.
This was one of the weakest snowpacks we found on Saddle. Facets near the ground were big and weak even though they had just started to bond to each other somewhat. Other places had a stronger snowpack. Regardless, because the snowpack is so thin, it will likely weaken when normal December temperatures return. Photo: GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Dec 12, 2014