17-18

<p>Large avalanches breaking 2-4’ deep on weak facets remain possible, though difficult to trigger. The snowpack has had time to adjust to the rapid, heavy load that fell over a week ago. Many slopes are stable, but some are not and large avalanches are possible to trigger, similar to the fatal slide in Cabin Creek (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/cabin-creek-crown">photo</a&gt;, <a href="https://youtu.be/K8Hzj0bEots">video</a></strong&gt;) and close call on Crown Butte (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/g0mZ89n5sbk">video</a&gt;, </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/snowmobile-triggered-avalanche-co…;).</p>

<p>Today, diligent snowpack assessment is essential if you plan to ride in avalanche terrain. Start with a review of our <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photos</a></strong&gt; <strong>and</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXu5151nmAvQSYtIfyQP-gMYrlfja6Ls…; pages </strong>to learn general character and distribution of unstable slopes. Additionally, before skiing or riding steep slopes dig a pit or two on terrain similar to what you plan to ride for the day (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/DsWaaQxR2Qs">video</a></strong&gt;). Avoid steep slopes if stability tests break clean, or if you find&nbsp;sugary, weak&nbsp;facets buried 2-4’ deep (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/5yXaQvWxJZI">video</a></strong&gt;).</p>

<p>An equally important problem to avoid&nbsp;are fresh wind slabs 6-12" thick formed by&nbsp;westerly winds. These slabs are located near ridgelines and easy to trigger. Wind slabs today are most harmful if they catch you above cliffs, trees, or confined gullies where snow can pile deep. Carefully assess the terrain for consequences of even small slides, and avoid freshly wind loaded slopes. Wet loose avalanches are also possible at low elevations later in the day with above freezing temperatures (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/small-wet-loose-slide-hyalite">ph…;). Avoid steep terrain if the snow is moist or you see fresh pinwheels (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/pinwheels-moist-snow-hyalite">pho…;).</p>

<p>Today, fresh wind slabs are easy to trigger and larger avalanches possible. The avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong> on all slopes.</p>

<p><em>Check out pictures that have been added to our </em><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos"><strong><em>Photos page</em></strong></a><em> since Monday morning documenting many avalanches.</em></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>

<p>Facets buried 2-4’ deep remain a problem across the advisory area, but the likelihood of triggering a slide continues to decrease without new snow and wind. The few inches of snow that will accumulate throughout the day won’t add much stress to instabilities buried deeper in the pack. Isolated wind slabs near upper elevation ridgelines could pose a threat as the day progresses, but these shouldn’t be a major problem.</p>

<p>Today, careful snowpack evaluation remains necessary when traveling in avalanche terrain. Not all slopes are unstable, but some still are. Signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing are minimal right now, so digging down a few feet and doing a stability test is the best way to assess the snowpack structure (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yXaQvWxJZI"><strong>video</strong></a&…;). If tests break clean on the layer of facets 2-4’ deep, avoiding steep slopes is a safe game plan.</p>

<p>As the snowpack trends towards stability, it’s easy to get complacent and let your guard down. It’s important to remember that large and dangerous avalanches are still possible (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mZ89n5sbk"><strong>video</strong></a>…;, </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/snowmobile-triggered-avalanche-co…;). It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to follow the three simple rules of safe backcountry travel. 1) Everyone has proper rescue gear and knows how to use it. 2) Always watch your partner from a safe location. 3) Only expose one person at a time on steep slopes.</p>

<p>Today, heightened avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated <strong>MODERATE</strong> on all slopes.</p>

<p><em>Check out pictures that have been added to our </em><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos"><strong><em>Photos page</em></strong></a><em> since Monday morning documenting many avalanches.</em></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>