19-20

<p>If this weekend’s storm delivers snowfall amounts near the higher end of the forecast, people skiing or hiking in the mountains will be able to trigger avalanches. Be cautious of steep slopes with deeper snow, especially where there are thick drifts. This is difficult if your goal is to ski, because slopes with deeper snow have the best coverage of natural obstacles. A small&nbsp;avalanche can cause season ending injuries if it carries you into exposed rocks or trees. Travel and prepare for avalanches like you would in the middle of winter.</p>

<ul>
<li>Carry a beacon, shovel and&nbsp;<a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/probe&quot; target="_blank" title="A metal rod used to probe through avalanche debris for buried victims.">probe</a>&nbsp;at a minimum. Helmets are a necessity as well.</li>
<li>Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.</li>
<li>Small avalanches can be season-ending at best and deadly at worst. Avoid being pushed into rocks, buried deeply in gullies or carried off cliffs.</li>
<li>Avoid steep slopes with thick drifts of snow. These slopes are the most inviting because they have full coverage for skiing, but they are also the likeliest area to&nbsp;trigger an avalanche.</li>
<li>Cracking and collapsing of the snow is bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable.</li>
</ul>

<p>Recall that accidents are not uncommon with early season snow and have injured skiers, climbers and hunters. Read accident reports from previous early season accidents before you venture to the snowy hills.&nbsp;<strong><u><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/12/10/31">This accident report</a></u></strong>&nbsp;from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range is chock full of useful lessons. This report from <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12">the tragic fatality nearly two years ago</a></strong> in early October is a somber reminder of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche.</p>

<p>Plan to attend one of many avalanche education courses listed on our&nbsp;<strong><u><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/education">calendar</a></u></strong&gt;. You can jump start thinking about winter recreation at the <strong><a href="http://www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/SAW.html">5th Annual MSU Snow and Avalanche Workshop</a></strong> on October 9^th in SUB Ballroom A.</p>

<p>Don’t forget to <strong><a href="https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Powder-Blast-2019-35179">buy tickets for the 21^st Annual Powder Blast Fundraiser</a></strong> on October 25^th at The Emerson Ballroom.</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 <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></str…;, email (<strong><u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u></strong&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>