The crown of the avalanche is marked in red. The skier was a few turns into his run when it broke above him. Photo: GNFAC
The crowns in the upper path are marked. The X is the approximate location of the victim. Photo: GNFAC
Avalanche Warning: S. Madison, S. Gallatin, Lionhead, Centennials and Cooke
Avalanche fatality on west side of Bridger Range
<p>Since yesterday morning the southern ranges and mountains near Cooke City received another 1-1.5 feet of new snow (1.4-2.0” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a>). This brings 48 hour snow totals to between 2 and 3 feet (2.8-4.2” of SWE). Strong southwest winds have drifted this snow into even thicker slabs on windloaded slopes. Large natural and human triggered avalanches of new and wind-drifted snow are likely today. Huge avalanches breaking on weak layers at the base of the snowpack are also possible (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW2xrOl76-Q&t=0s&index=2&li…;, <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFA1kKs6wsw&t=0s&index=2&li…;). Yesterday in Cooke City, an avalanche was seen on a hill just above town and a rider was partially buried by a large avalanche (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/natural-avalanche-above-cooke-cit…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20198">details</a></strong>). Avoid all steep slopes and the runout zones below. The avalanche danger is <strong>HIGH</strong> on all slopes.</p>
<p>Yesterday on Buck Ridge, near Big Sky, I found unstable drifts of new snow formed by strong southwest winds (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1PHAN4n83A&list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). These 1-2’ deep wind drifts will be easily triggered today in the northern ranges. Beware below fresh cornices and on thick pillows of wind drifted snow just below ridgelines. If you feel the snow surface suddenly become firm, or see cracks shooting out in front of your sled or skis, you have found these dangerous conditions. With more snow and continued strong winds today these drifts will grow larger and become increasingly unstable. Avoid steep wind-loaded terrain. You could also trigger a much larger avalanche on weak layers deep in the snowpack (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/snowmobile-triggered-avalanche-fi…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/avalanche-crown-butte-2">photo</a…;, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5mSOkh9iqE&list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). These avalanches are most likely on heavily wind loaded slopes, or where the snowpack is relatively shallow (less than 3-5 feet). With continued snowfall and strong winds, the avalanche danger is <strong>CONSIDERABLE</strong> on windloaded slopes. On all other slopes, the avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong>.</p>
<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a>, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
BOZEMAN
March 1, 2 and 3, Bozeman Split Fest, More info at www.bozemansplitfest.com.
March 6, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness, 6-7 p.m. at REI Bozeman.
ENNIS
The GNFAC talked to the rider on the phone, but he did not have many details as this was his first time riding in the area and he had poor visibility. He was on his sled, mid-slope in a gully, filming a friend when he was hit from behind. He had rescue gear and an airbag pack, but the handle for the airbag was zipped closed and he could not deploy it. His upper body was buried under 3" of snow and his lower body was out. He was dug up quickly without injury. His sled was also buried with a small piece sticking out of the snow.
He thinks he was on the Fisher Creek side of Henderson Mountain.
It was snowing and blowing hard all day.
A natural avalanche broke about 3 feet deep on Town Hill above Cooke City (2/25/2019).
On the afternoon of February 25th, a natural avalanche was seen on Town Hill above Cooke City. It appears to be 2-3 ft deep.
From e-mail: "Widespred slide activity from the last storm cycle, e.g. 2/14-2/18 ranging from E-NE to W. Aspects all elevations, creek bottoms slid at 7000' and peaks slide at 9800'. DEEP crownlines. From a dist. 4'-6', mostly in wind loaded terrain, micro-ridges, and corniced areas." Photo: S. Hansen
From e-mail: "Widespred slide activity from the last storm cycle, e.g. 2/14-2/18 ranging from E-NE to W. Aspects all elevations, creek bottoms slid at 7000' and peaks slide at 9800'. DEEP crownlines. From a dist. 4'-6', mostly in wind loaded terrain, micro-ridges, and corniced areas." Photo: S. Hansen
