We went up Flanders Creek to the ridge to see how the wind-slabs that formed last week were reacting. Even though we found facets under the thin slabs (Eric is holding a piece of wind slab) , they were not unstable. Check out our video. Photo: GNFAC
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GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Mar 8, 2015
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead Area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Is winter over? This is a question I’ve heard many times over the past few days. In the short term, it appears so. Above average temperatures and dry conditions will persist over the coming days. This warm and dry pattern will not benefit riding conditions (although south facing slopes may see a corn cycle in the next few days), but it will help stabilize the existing wind slab problem that developed during this past week.
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Mar 7, 2015
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead Area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Higher elevations continue to have near normal to well above normal percentages, while lower elevations that experienced melt during the month from above average temperatures and rain-on-snow events have made significant declines over the month of February. Get the full report from the NRCS HERE.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Mar 7, 2015
Many small wind slabs like this on were easily triggered by skiers near Cooke City during the last few days mostly on N and NE aspects. Photo: J. Logan
This skier triggered wind slab ran about 700 feet vertical and produced debris 2-3 feet deep. Photo: GNFAC
Skier triggered wind slab about 30 feet wide, less than a foot deep and running about 100 vertical feet. Not enough to bury a person, but could hurt if it pushed you into trees or rocks. Photo: GNFAC
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Mar 6, 2015
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead Area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Today’s avalanche problem is wind slabs up to a foot thick resting on small, weak facets.
"We triggered a medium sized wind slab about 50 ft wide and 12" deep. It released easily after I kicked a small piece of the cornice on it, the chunk was only about twice the size of a football. We're talking R1D1, maybe D2, but a person would have gone for a wild ride if they were stuck in it. The weak later seemed to be facets that formed near a thin crust that was buried by the wind slab. We had dug a pit less than 500 ft down at a similar aspect and didn't see any signs of concern. ECTX, CTN, and no noticeable weaknesses in the pack." Photo: A. Schauer