21-22

Blackmore Shoulder

Date
Activity
Skiing

Ski toured up to Blackmore today.

On the way in we noticed a skier triggered soft slab on the short west facing shots as you approach the meadow. (attached is the photo - SS-R1.5-D1-I).

The main face had several natural and skier triggered dry loose slides but nothing stepped bellow the Crust. We skied the low angle section of the shoulder near the trees in search of untracked snow and would slide on the bed surface if you were a bit too heavy on your feet. 

There was virtually no wind up there today but the was some minor cornice growth on the ridge. 

I dug a test pit just below the skin track at ridge level and found 30cm of new snow that was just slabby enough to produce and ECTP22Q1 30cm down - on top of the crust. HS 170 - Slope Angle 35 - Aspect 085 - Elevation 9500.

Hope thats helpful!

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Mt Blackmore
Observer Name
Nick Roe

Thin Wind Slab on Henderson Mtn.

Henderson Mountain
Cooke City
Code
HS-N-R1-D1.5-I
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.05240
Longitude
-109.94500
Notes

Thin wind slab avalanche on a NE aspect of Henderson Mountain. Approx 100ft wide. Likely broke on 3/8/22 observed 3/9/22.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1.5
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Images
Henderson Mtn. Wind Slab
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
21-22

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 9, 2022

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

<p>The Lionhead area near West Yellowstone received 8-10” of snow with this storm that equals .5” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd1314… water equivalent</u></a> (SWE). A north wind started to blow last night. It is averaging 15 mph and gusting to 27 mph, strong enough to move and drift snow. Last Thursday Ian and I found a 1-foot thick layer of weak snow at the surface (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfudo3K5_dM"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;) and saw a recent avalanche (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/wind-slab-avalanche-lionhead-ridg…;) on a wind drifted slope. Today’s wind-loading will make slopes dangerous. Triggering avalanches is likely and I expect natural avalanches at the ridgeline. Plumes of blowing snow and shooting cracks are a warning to stay out of avalanche terrain. For today the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded terrain and MODERATE on all others.</p>

<p>In the last 36 hours the Bridger, Gallatin and Madison Ranges received 7-10” of low density powder (5%) equaling .4-.5” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd1314… water equivalent</u></a> (SWE). Yesterday afternoon far-running new snow avalanches were seen on the Bridger ridge by Saddle Peak. Yesterday, Dave and his partner took a tour up Lick Creek in Hyalite and got shooting cracks and triggered a small avalanche in the new snow on a steep rollover (<a href="https://youtu.be/ShU98wybxsU"><strong><u>video</u></strong></a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/skier-triggered-avalanche-lick-cr…;). Although the slide was inconsequential, it was a warning that bigger slides could be triggered at higher elevations where there’s more snow. Wind is forecasted to be light, but if wind increases the avalanche danger would rise quickly on any slope getting loaded. For today the avalanche danger is a serious MODERATE danger because of all the new snow. Shooting cracks or finding freshly blown wind drifts are signs to stay out of avalanche terrain.</p>

<p>The mountains around Cooke City received 4” of new snow (.3” <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd1314…;) during the last 36 hours. Yesterday, Ian and his partner looked at an avalanche on the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26107"><u>NE shoulder of Scotch Bonnet</u></a> that was triggered on Sunday (<a href="https://youtu.be/BGiz4qC7pQg"><strong><u>video</u></strong></a&gt;). A thin layer of weak snow underlies a 2-foot thick slab. A steady and pervasive trickle of human triggered slides in the last couple weeks will continue (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><strong><u>avalanche activity list</u></strong></a>). The weak layer and slab combination is widespread and on a few slopes it awaits a trigger. Stack the deck in your favor by carrying rescue gear, traveling one at a time in avalanche terrain and by being aware of what’s under your feet or sled. For today the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE since avalanches are possible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

Upcoming Education Opportunities

See our education calendar for an up-to-date list of all local classes. Here are a few select upcoming events.

Every Saturday near Cooke City, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE snowpack update and transceiver/rescue training. Stop by for 20 minutes or more at the Round Lake Warming Hut.

Natural avalanches on Saddle Peak

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
Elevation
9000
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes

 Natural activity was observed on Saddle Peak, with debris travelling full path Between the Peaks.

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Problem Type
New Snow
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
21-22

The Ramp

Date
Activity
Skiing

We went up there hoping for better coverage by new snow, but we still grounded out and hit a few ice chunkers underneath. The new-snow to old-snow interface seemed pretty well bonded.

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
The Ramp
Observer Name
Jim Earl

Snow in Hyalite

Date
Activity
Skiing

Skied History Rock around 5pm this evening ~25cm new snow at the top meadow, snow was tapering off, winds were calm. Did a quick shovel tilt, new snow seemed well bonded to the melt freeze crust underneath. 

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
History Rock
Observer Name
Mike Lavery
Subscribe to 21-22