From BSSP: " Also saw a large slide on one of the far ridges of Cedar that was not there yesterday and appears to be cornice triggered."
<p>There are three overlapping avalanche concerns today: avalanches breaking in wind drifts, avalanches breaking near the ground, and avalanches of wet snow.</p>
<p>Strong winds and new snow over the last week formed wind drifts on many slopes. These wind drifts have been avalanching. Alex triggered a 2-3 ft deep wind slab in Cooke City on Thursday and a number of natural wind slabs were reported as well (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKCwJUJ_-t4&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). After the last few days of warm temperatures most of these drifts are now bonded to the snow beneath them. Watch for cracks shooting out in front of your skis or sled as a sign that you’ve found one that hasn’t yet.</p>
<p>You could also trigger an avalanche much deeper in the snowpack on weak layers near the ground. These slides are becoming less likely, but recent big avalanches clearly show they are still possible. At Lionhead yesterday, I found the weak layers appeared to be gaining strength, but I still don’t trust them (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNye2XVdYbY&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). On Thursday, an avalanche broke 5 feet deep on a windloaded slope near Mt. Bole in Hyalite Canyon (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/north-mt-bole1">photo</a></strong…;) and a large avalanche on Fan Mountain near Big Sky broke 1000 ft wide and to the ground (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21806">details</a></strong>). You’re unlikely to get warning signs before triggering one of these large slides. Dig and test the weak layers near the ground or simply stick to more conservative terrain.</p>
<p>Unusual weather makes for unusual avalanches. We aren’t often dealing with wet snow avalanches at the beginning of February, but the combination of unseasonably warm temperatures and direct sun today make them a real possibility. Be on alert if you find the snow surface getting wet and sticky this afternoon. Roller balls and pin wheels (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/pinwheels-snow">photo</a></strong…;) are clear signs that the danger of triggering a wet loose avalanche is increasing.</p>
<p>With a range of avalanches possible, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE today.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong>, email us (<strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Today is the King and Queen of the Ridge at Bridger Bowl! Come up to cheer on participants as they help us raise money by hiking and skiing laps as many laps as they can on the ridge between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM. It’s always a good time and the weather today couldn’t be much more pleasant! Come have fun in the sun! You can also pledge or donate HERE.
<p>The snowpack hasn’t gotten a real break from loading at any point during January. There were only two consecutive days without snowfall in the whole month (see the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">Weather Log</a> for details). This steady, incremental loading hasn’t spiked the avalanche danger up, but it also hasn’t let it drop. Our whole forecast area has been stuck at a moderate danger rating for almost two weeks. Don’t let this lull you into complacency. Stay vigilant. Today, slides could break 1-3 ft deep under recent drifts, or much deeper on weak layers near the ground.</p>
<p>Yesterday, Alex triggered a wind slab avalanche near Cooke City from the safety of a flat ridgeline. The slide broke on a windloaded slope below him, 2-3 ft deep and 100 ft wide (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKCwJUJ_-t4&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). Avalanches do not have to break down into the deeper weak layers to be large and dangerous. Alex saw widespread active wind loading yesterday and continued strong winds overnight built thicker and deeper drifts that you can trigger today. Avoid heavily wind loaded steep slopes.</p>
<p>Larger, deeper natural avalanches were seen yesterday in Hyalite and near Big Sky. The slide in Hyalite broke at least 5 feet deep on a windloaded slope near Mt. Bole (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/north-mt-bole1">photo</a></strong…;). An avalanche on Fan Mountain near Big Sky broke 1000 ft wide and to the ground (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21806">details</a></strong>). These slides clearly demonstrate that triggering very large avalanches remains possible. Weak snow at the ground is widespread and until it gets a real break from loading can’t be trusted.</p>
<p>For our entire forecast area, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong>, email us (<strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, is the King and Queen of the Ridge at Bridger Bowl! Come up and help us raise money by hiking and skiing laps on the ridge. Prizes, camaraderie and a good time are guaranteed. Register with Bridger to hike in the event and create a pledge page to raise funds with your Ridge laps.
From an observation: "We were up on the ridge off Palace Butte and saw this recent natural released slide. Crown was big in spots. Must have happened sometime over night or in the morning (1/29 or 1/30) perhaps from the recent wind loading. East, southeast facing, on the peak north of MT Bole."
From an observation: "We were up on the ridge off Palace Butte and saw this recent natural released slide. Crown was big in spots. Must have happened sometime over night or in the morning (1/29 or 1/30) perhaps from the recent wind loading. East, southeast facing, on the peak north of MT Bole." Photo: A. Schrier
From an observation: "We were up on the ridge off Palace Butte and saw this recent natural released slide. Crown was big in spots. Must have happened sometime over night or in the morning (1/29 or 1/30) perhaps from the recent wind loading. East, southeast facing, on the peak north of MT Bole." Photo: A. Schrier
