18-19

Natural Avalanche on Sheep Mountain

Sheep Mountain
Lionhead Range
Code
HS-R2-D2
Aspect
S
Notes

A very deep natural avalanche was observed on Sheep Mountain, on January 28th. 

From email: "This was southern facing slope of sheep mountain... Crown was at least 8’... very heavy wind loading."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
R size
2
D size
2
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness
48.0 inches
Vertical Fall
200ft
Slab Width
100.00ft
Images
Sheep Mountain Avalanche
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
18-19

Deep Slab Avalanche at Big Sky

Big Sky Resort
Northern Madison
Code
HS-AEc-R4-D3-O
Notes

Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered a deep hard slab avalanche during control work on January 28th, breaking on a weak layer of facets that formed in early December.

From email: "This slide failed on our layer of greatest concern and had recently been loaded up with 60cm of 1F wind slab from our consistent snowfall over the past 11 days. Crown depth ranged from 3-5’ and consensus is that it was about 300’ wide. " - BSSP

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
An explosive thrown or placed on or under the snow surface by hand
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
4
D size
3
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Slab Thickness
48.0 inches
Vertical Fall
300ft
Slab Width
300.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
18-19

Natural Avalanches Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek
Southern Madison
Code
N
Notes

From email: "we ... observed several natural avalanches in the long, steep gullies on the west side of Beaver Creek."

Multiple Avalanches
Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
18-19
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