GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 8, 2014
Cooke City
This avalanche on Crown Butte (seen from Miller Drainage) was triggered yesterday (Saturday) from by a snowmobiler. It broke as he rode up the hill and buried his sled, but not him. It is a southeast facing slope with the crown line around 9,900 feet. This slide path gets strong winds across slope as well as from the ridgeline. Steep wind-loaded slopes should be avoided. 50 mph gusts on Saturday stripped many upper elevation slopes and loaded others. Photo: GNFAC
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Dec 7, 2014
Cooke City
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sat Dec 6, 2014
Cooke City
The mountains around Cooke City have the deepest snowpack in our forecast area. Currently, Fisher Creek Snotel site has a settled base depth of four feet. This thick blanket of snow consists of multiple layers. The upper and middle portions of the pack are comprised of layers that are well bonded and strong; creating a thick and dense slab. This slab is resting on a layer of weaker, faceted crystals that exist about a foot off the ground.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sat Dec 6, 2014
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Dec 5, 2014
Cooke City
In the past two days the mountains near Cooke City have received 1.1 inches of snow water equivalent. Mild temperatures and steady snowfall may improve stability in the long run. A layer of weak facets about 8-12 inches above the ground appears to be gaining strength as it adjusts to the weight of 3-4 feet of snow on top of it.
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Dec 4, 2014
Cooke City
Yesterday Beartooth Powder Guides did not see any recent natural avalanches. Mild weather has helped facets near the ground adjust to the massive load of new snow this area has received in the last two weeks when the snowpack increased 240% in terms of water content. Overnight this area received another 0.5 inches of snow water equivalent (about 5 inches of snow), and winds increased.
Are conditions improving – I think so, but we’ll see.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Dec 4, 2014
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Dec 3, 2014
Cooke City
Without new snow and only light winds, the snowpack around Cooke City is getting a breather. A layer of weak, faceted snow at the ground was responsible for all the avalanche activity and avalanche warnings. Obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing of the snowpack or natural avalanche activity will be absent. However, a lack of these does not indicate stability. The poor snow structure will still allow a person to trigger a slide. I expect the avalanche danger to lessen in the coming days, but it’s a slow process and patience is required.