Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>Yesterday, a large avalanche was triggered south of Saddle Peak in the Bridger Range, and a big slide was seen near Cooke City on Mt. Fox. Snowfall and strong wind this past week loaded many slopes to their breaking point. Wind is still moving snow, but overall <u>most</u> slopes are handling the load. Here’s a recap:</p>
<p><em>Bridger Range</em>: A skier triggered a large slide to the south of Saddle Peak yesterday. Luckily no one was caught because it would have been unsurviveable. If you are wondering what the stability on Saddle Peak is looking like, look no further. This avalanche is evidence of a poor structure that’s been overloaded with windblown snow (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21587">photos and description</a></strong>).</p>
<p><em>Northern Madison Range</em>: Yesterday, skiers triggered a wind slab in Bear Basin and also saw a large slide that released a day or two prior. (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21597">photos and description</a></strong>).</p>
<p><em>Cooke City</em>: A natural avalanche on Mt. Fox broke at the ground on Tuesday. It was impressively large and ran hundreds of feet wide. Although we are finding that most slopes have gotten stronger (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Za-GgO09eEw">video</a></strong>), this lone beast recalibrates the potential danger (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21601">photo and description</a></strong>).</p>
<p>In the last 4 days we’ve had field days to <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/4149kh_Qk4A">Fairy Lake</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/OPaBxiDjvsM">Lionhead</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/hVWTWK_GaBs">Buck Ridge</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/_VHfcZztwYQ">Cooke City</a></strong>. Watch our <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVfoR785MxkqkNVy8P…; if you are heading out since they show you what to look for. Also check out the recent <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">avalanche activity</a> </strong>page which documents <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21589">smaller slides around Cooke City</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21605">whumphing in the southern Gallatin Range</a></strong>.</p>
<p>For today, triggering avalanches is possible and the danger is rated MODERATE. Some avalanches might be small, localized wind slabs, while others could be hair-raising deep slabs. It is not easy to determine which is which, so I recommend notching things back and thinking twice before getting into avalanche terrain.</p>
<p>It might not have snowed, but at least it’s windy. Yes, that’s a joke. The <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/stations/hyalite-weather-station">H… weather station</a></strong> is getting buffeted with 65 mph gusts from the southwest. Any loose flakes of snow are long gone and I expect wind-drifts to be packed into hard slabs. The snowpack is generally stable in the northern Gallatin Range with the exception of wind-drifted slopes at the ridgelines and in gullies. Most drifts will be glued down, but some may avalanche. Shooting cracks are a red flag you are on a slope with the latter. Alex’s <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Fdgt5Mp8E6s">video</a></strong> from his ski up Blackmore this weekend speaks to this concern. For today, the danger is MODERATE on all slopes with wind-drifted snow and LOW on all others.</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: Events and Education Calendar.
COOKE CITY
Every Friday and Saturday, Snowpack Update and Rescue Training. Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Soda Butte Lodge. Saturday anytime between 10-2 @ Round Lake.
BOZEMAN
