A skier in Hyalite wrote, "Natural activity that I observed was failing at new/old interface and (generally) occurred in predictable, wind loaded locations near ridge lines. The one exception is the avalanche with the freshest debris; looks like it failed right at the end of the storm in a somewhat sheltered, mid-slope location." Photo: B. VandenBos
@0600; Lows 0F to -4F
Several reports of small skier triggered slides at Bridger Bowl (10/29).
From instagram:
"I kicked off a small 6 inch slab on a rollover skiing down east of PK."
"Skied ptarmigan this morning, kicked off a decent sized slab rolling over deer park road cross from avy gulch."
"I got a 2 foot wind slab to crack on a test slope. There was lots of evidence of heavy wind affect. Saw a 5 inch by 20 foot slide in sluice box gully (skier triggered)."
From an email: "Skinned part way up Slushmans yesterday, saw that a chunk of cornice had fallen over the south side of the football field and took a medium-sized slab with it. The debris didn’t make it over the cliffs, but I did see debris further to the south."
Gusty North wind and moderate snowfall created sensitive drifts. From obs. "Some moved while I was skinning up, some slid naturally (hidden/[Apron area]) mostly recent wind deposition.
Gusty north wind and moderate snowfall created unstable drifts of snow at Bridger on Monday (10/28). Some slid naturally and some were easily triggered by skiers. Photo: P. Hinz
BBSP Measured 14" at Alpine
Flanders Temp -20 F
<p>Winter enthusiasts took full advantage of the snow this weekend while hunters tried to stay warm and dry. Alex and I joined a good portion of Bozeman’s ski community in the Bridger Range to gather preliminary snowpack information. We found generally stable conditions and a layered snowpack that is getting deeper by the day (<a href="https://youtu.be/zRxmRXv74j0"><strong>video</strong></a>). Skiers in Middle Basin near Big Sky found similar results in their stability tests (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kj9XuX89h4">video</a></strong>). Last week we received reports of avalanches that occurred with the storms (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20831">Taylor Fork</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/soft-slab-bridger">Bridger Range</a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/small-avalanche-hyalite">Hyalite Canyon</a></strong>). Added caution is warranted given our layered snowpack, limited field data, and levels of early-season uncertainty. More snow and wind are coming today. Stay off wind loaded slopes and dig a snowpit before committing to avalanche terrain.</p>
<p>There is up to three feet of snow on the ground and the consequences of early-season avalanches can be dire. Rocks and stumps are near the surface and even a small avalanche can bury us in terrain features like gullies. This can have tragic consequences (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12">accident report</a></strong>). If you are getting out into the backcountry to hunt, climb, or ride <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">drop us a line</a> when you get home so we can share what you’ve found with the rest of the community.</p>
<p>We are preparing for winter, setting up weather stations and collecting snowpack information. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share, please submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out and plan to attend one or two: Events and Education Calendar.
BOZEMAN
6 November, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness, 6-7pm @ REI Bozeman.
7 November, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness, 6-7pm @ Langford Hall, MSU.
