17-18

<p>There are three avalanche problems to look out for in the backcountry today (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Ew4X0uuwo">video</a></strong&gt;). The main one is wind loaded slopes. Earlier in the week, fresh snow combined with strong winds created unstable wind slabs (<a href="https://youtu.be/HlPWDeqNgZY"><strong>video</strong></a><strong&gt;, </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/natural-avalanche-bridger-range">…;). Over the past few days, wind slabs have trended towards stability. Yesterday, I ventured south of Bridger Bowl and found wind loaded slopes to be stubborn and well bonded. Doug found similar conditions in Hyalite. Although the likelihood of triggering wind slabs is decreasing, it cannot be ruled out (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/small-wind-slab-hyalite">photo</a…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/skier-triggered-wind-slab-bridger…;). Today, keep your avalanche radar on and be cautious around wind loaded slopes, especially those associated with high consequence terrain.</p>

<p>Our secondary problem is cornices (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/cornice-triggered-avalanche-debri…;). The likelihood of being involved with a natural cornice failure is rather low, but it’s best to limit time on slopes directly below these bus sized chunks of snow (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/cornice-triggered-avalanche"><str…;). A more likely scenario is triggering a cornice along the ridgeline and tumbling over the edge. This problem can be easily avoided by giving cornices a wide berth along the ridgelines.</p>

<p>Our final problem is wet snow avalanches. This time of year, it only takes a short period of direct sun or above freezing temps to create a wet snow avalanche hazard. I don’t expect this to be a major problem today with increasing clouds, strong winds and cooler temps, but it’s always something to keep an eye out for in springtime.</p>

<p>Today, natural avalanches are unlikely, but human triggered avalanches are possible on wind loaded slopes which have a <strong>MODERATE</strong> avalanche danger. Generally stable conditions exist on non-wind loaded slopes which have a <strong>LOW</strong> avalanche danger.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, drop a line via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a&gt;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>