19-20

<p>The snow that fell in the last 24 hours was low density powder that will be easily blown into slabs of wind-drifted snow that will avalanche (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wind-loading-cooke-city">photo</a…;). The Bridger Range, Cooke City, and the mountains south of Big Sky to West Yellowstone received at least 20” of snow in the last week. Wind picked up this morning and will move snow throughout the day. Wind drifts cracking under your skis or sled are a warning that if you continue to push into steeper terrain you’ll likely trigger an avalanche.</p>

<p>Ian and I rode into Lionhead yesterday and tested the weak layer of faceted, sugary snow at the ground. We have been worried about this for a while and I’m happy to report that this layer is getting stonger and harder to trigger (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/OPaBxiDjvsM">video</a></strong&gt;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/deep-snow-lionhead">photo</a></st…;). This is a positive trend, but it poses a unique problem: overconfidence. As we find numerous slopes that are stable we might blindly and incorrectly extrapolate that onto other slopes. Mother Nature brutally corrects us when we get lazy, so keep digging and assessing. Even though stability is improving, if avalanches break near the ground they will be deep, large and deadly. Our videos from <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/omt8Tt1rwms">Bacon Rind</a></strong>, and two from Cooke City (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/_VHfcZztwYQ">Scotch Bonnet</a>,</strong> <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Za-GgO09eEw">Sheep Ck.</a></strong>), all show cautious optimism about the snowpack with an extra warning about wind-loaded slopes.</p>

<p>For today the danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all wind-loaded slopes and MODERATE on all others.</p>

<p>The mountains around Big Sky have weak snow near the ground that can avalanche. On Sunday, I rode Buck Ridge and investigated an avalanche that broke on a wind-loaded slope (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21558">avalanche activity</a></strong></u>, <u><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/hVWTWK_GaBs">video</a></strong></u&gt;). I saw a few other slides that were similarly wind-loaded with the larger ones avalanching on sugary, faceted snow at the ground. A couple inches of snow and wind in the last 24 hours is not enough to raise the danger, but it’s not helping to lower it either. Avoid wind-loaded slopes and investigate the snow structure (dig) before playing in avalanche terrain. For today, avalanches are still possible and the danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>The northern Gallatin Range picked up a few inches of snow with strong wind. The snowpack in this range is generally stable and our main concern is on wind-loaded slopes. Expect to find wind drifting near the ridges and in gullies. These drifts may crack as you approach them, a red flag that they may slide. Ice climbers are especially vulnerable since small slides can sweep them off cliffs. Alex shows us what to watch out for in his <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/Fdgt5Mp8E6s">video</a&gt; </strong>from Mt. Blackmore. For today, the danger is MODERATE on all slopes with wind-drifted snow 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;<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong></u>, email us (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u&gt;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>