19-20
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>Settled snow depth is 6-12” in the mountains, which is hardly enough to protect you from hitting rocks or dirt (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/thin-cover-near-fairy-lake">photo…;). Slopes where snow is drifted deeper may provide better coverage for skiing, but are also the most likely place to trigger an avalanche (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/small-drifts-near-fairy-lake">pho…;). New snow and wind during Friday night’s storm will create fresh drifts that are easy to trigger, and will avalanche on steep slopes. Avalanches will likely be small, but the many exposed rocks and hazards make small slides season ending at best and deadly at worst. Avoid steep slopes with thick drifts of snow, and prepare for avalanches like you would in the middle of winter:</p>
<ul>
<li>Carry a beacon, shovel and <u><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/probe" target="_blank" title="A metal rod used to probe through avalanche debris for buried victims.">probe</a></u> at a minimum. Helmets are a necessity as well.</li>
<li>Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.</li>
<li>Cracking and collapsing of the snow is bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable.</li>
</ul>
<p>Avalanches are not uncommon with early season snow and have injured skiers, climbers and hunters in the past. <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12">The tragic fatality two years ago</a></strong></u> in early October is a somber reminder of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche, and <u><strong><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/12/10/31">this accident report</a></strong></u> from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range is chock full of useful lessons.</p>
<p>We are preparing for winter, scheduling avalanche classes, and setting up weather stations. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share. Please submit them via our <u><strong><a href="mailto:website">website</a></strong></u>, email (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out and plan to attend one or two this winter: Events and Education Calendar.
Jump start your thinking about winter recreation at the 5th Annual MSU Snow and Avalanche Workshop on October 9th in SUB Ballroom A.
Small wind slab near Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake
Bridger Range
Code
SS-AS-R1-D1-S
Elevation
9000
Latitude
45.90430
Longitude
-110.95800
Notes
From e-mail: "The only places one could ski were wind pockets blown into the limestone fin features that in places were well over a foot. These spots were also where the snow was weirdest/posed any sort of avalanche hazard as you pretty much had to find a wind slab in order to ski anything! One group reported triggering a slab in one of these spots, but vis was too poor to see."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
New Snow
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Weather and Avalanche Log for Thu Oct 3, 2019
Issued Early Season Bulletin
MSU SAW is October 9th from 5-9pm in SUB Ballroom A. www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/SAW.html for more info.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019
The mountains got their first coat of snow at the end of September, though it isn't quite enough to protect you from hitting rocks. Where the snow is drifted provides the best coverage, but is also the most likely place to trigger a small slide. A small slide would be painful if it pushes you into the many exposed rocks. Photo: G. Antonioli
Avalanche Details: Small wind slab near Fairy Lake
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 10, 2019
Bridger Range, 2019-10-02
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 10, 2019
The mountains got their first coat of snow at the end of September. It isn't quite enough to protect you from hitting rocks. Photo: G. Antonioli
Avalanche Details: Small wind slab near Fairy Lake
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019
Bridger Range, 2019-10-02
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 3, 2019