19-20

<p>Yesterday, snowmobilers triggered two large avalanches on Henderson Mountain near Cooke City. One of these slides was absolutely huge, breaking more than 10 feet deep in spots (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/huge-slide-henderson-close">photo…;). A large natural avalanche also broke yesterday near Hardscrabble Peak in the northern Bridger Range (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/large-natural-avalanche-northern-…;). It initially failed 2-3 ft deep and then stepped down to the ground.</p>

<p>Conditions aren’t hair trigger today. It’s been 48 hours since the last snowfall. While winds have continued to load some slopes, most slopes are handling the load well. However, as yesterday’s slides demonstrate, triggering a large avalanche is a very real possibility today that could have devastating consequences.</p>

<p>Figuring out whether a particular slope is primed to slide is going to be a real challenge and in some cases near impossible to do safely. Tracks are not a guarantee of stability. Wednesday’s sobering close call with a large skier triggered slide on Saddle Peak is a good reminder of this (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21587">details</a></strong&gt;). A number of skiers had skied the very similar adjacent slopes without incident before one got unlikely, hit the wrong spot, and triggered a big avalanche.</p>

<p>Remember the big picture: many slopes have weak layers low in the snowpack and multiple large avalanches have been triggered on those layers each of the last three days (see the <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">avalanche activity</a> page</strong> for a list of reported slides). Think long and hard before getting into avalanche terrain today. Be extra skeptical of slopes that have recently been windloaded or are getting activity loaded today.</p>

<p>Human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE today.</p>

<p>The snowpack is generally stable in the northern Gallatin Range with the exception of wind-drifted slopes. Strong winds have continued in Hyalite (gusts up to 60 mph overnight) but there is no more loose snow left to transport. While at this point most drifts will be well bonded, watch for shooting cracks as your sign you’ve found one that hasn’t yet. Avoid those slopes. For today, the danger is MODERATE on windloaded slopes and LOW on all others.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an&nbsp;<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&gt;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>