Trip Planning for Northern Gallatin

as of 5:00 am
Mar 276″ | 15-25 W
Mar 26 2″ | 10-25 W
Mar 25 1″ | 10-20 W
9982′     03/28 at 3:00
20.7℉
SW - 26mph
Gusts 41 mph
8100′     03/28 at 02:00
30℉
59″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow
Bottom Line: Even 15 mph wind was strong enough to create 6-8” wind slabs that avalanched naturally in the backcountry. Last night’s snow and similar wind will create a few natural slides and conditions for people to easily trigger wind drifts. A secondary, but more consequential concern, are avalanches that break on weak snow found in the bottom third of the snowpack. If you get into avalanche terrain do so incrementally, and find slopes that were not affected by the wind.

Past 5 Days

Sat Mar 23

Moderate
Sun Mar 24

Considerable
Mon Mar 25

Moderate
Tue Mar 26

Moderate
Wed Mar 27

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Gallatin
Mt Blackmore
Skier triggered, caught and injured near Mt Blackmore
Incident details include images
Mt Blackmore
SS-ASu-R3-D2-O
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: NE
Coordinates: 45.4444, -111.0040
Caught: 1 ; Buried: 0; Killed: 0

Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep. The avalanche failed on weak, faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. 

As the group was about halfway up the avalanche path, they saw a small slide initiate to their right and then they heard a loud boom as the rest of the slope collapsed 250 feet above them. The skier lower on the path sprinted to the left into the trees to avoid getting caught. The second skier was 30 higher on the slope. He attempted to run off the slope but was unable to avoid getting captured. He was carried to the bottom of the avalanche path, got submerged in the snow, but thankfully came to rest on the surface. His partner initiated a beacon search and called his name, quickly finding him on top of the avalanche debris. The skier sustained significant injuries. They called 911 and Gallatin Country Sheriff Search and Rescue initiated a response with the Helicopter team. The two skiers worked to address injuries while awaiting rescue. GCSAR inserted a team with a helicopter that provided medical treatment and both the injured and uninjured skiers. The GNFAC was on scene to evaluate the scene for hazards to the rescue team. 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Gallatin
Mt Blackmore
Wet loose snow avalanche Mt Blackmore
Incident details include images
Mt Blackmore
WL-AS-R1-D1
Elevation: 9,750
Aspect: SE
Coordinates: 45.4444, -111.0040
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From IG:

Southeast aspect on Mt Blackmore. Unknown time and date. Elevation 9700 to 9800’


More Avalanche Details
Northern Gallatin
Mt Blackmore
Large avalanche N face Blackmore
Incident details include images
Incident details contain video
Mt Blackmore
NC-R3-D3.5-O
Elevation: 9,800
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.4444, -111.0040
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Large avalanche North face Mt Blackmore. Appeared to be potentially triggered by cornice fall from above. Crown propagated across majority of the bowl and was quite large in places. 

From Obs: "Cornice fall triggered a big one. Looks to be real fresh. last night or this morning    Broke across the whole bowl and up to 8 feet deep maybe more right in the middle. Broken trees in the debris, And ran out of sight."


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • The avalanche occurred on the northernmost ridgeline in the Mt. Blackmore system near the waypoint at the top of the image. GNFAC/ Gaia

  • Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep and broke a number of mature trees. Photo: GNFAC

  • Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep. This photo captures the first area to avalanche on the climber's right side of the path. Photo: GNFAC

  • Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep. One skier was carried to the bottom left of the runout zone. Photo: GNFAC

  • Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep. One skier was carried to the bottom left of the runout zone. Photo: GNFAC

  • Two skiers were ascending a northeast-facing avalanche path on the northernmost ridgeline of Mount Blackmore around 1 PM when they triggered a large, dry slab avalanche that failed 3 feet deep, 150 feet wide, and ran 500 feet vertical. Debris piled up 4-8 feet deep. Photo: GNFAC

  • My partner and I were approaching Responsible FamilyMan via Avalanche Gulch early yesterday morning (3/18), and once we broke through the trees into the runout zone, we stumbled across a pretty large wet avalanche debris field. The debris terminated within ~50 yards of the max runout zone. Photo: R. Parsons

  • My partner and I were approaching Responsible Family Man via Avalanche Gulch early yesterday morning (3/18), and once we broke through the trees into the runout zone, we stumbled across a pretty large wet avalanche debris field. The debris terminated within ~50 yards of the max runout zone. Photo: R. Parsons

  • A wet loose snow avalanche on the southeast aspect on Mt Blackmore at 9700 to 9800 feet elevation. Photo: C Daniels

  • Skiers a few days ago saw several deep natural avalanches near the head of Swan Creek. These avalanches broke 2-5' deep, 2000' wide, and ran "full track". The exact date of when these avalanches happened is unknown but they likely happened over a week ago in the first few days of March. Photo: S. Reinsel

  • Skiers a few days ago saw several deep natural avalanches near the head of Swan Creek. These avalanches broke 2-5' deep, 2000' wide, and ran "full track". The exact date of when these avalanches happened is unknown but they likely happened over a week ago in the first few days of March. Photo: S. Reinsel

     

     

  • Skiers noted a large natural avalanche on the North face of Mt Blackmore that broke overnight. The crown was around 8 feet deep. Photo: E. Roman

  • Skiers noted a large natural avalanche on the North face of Mt Blackmore that broke overnight. The crown was around 8 feet deep. Photo: E. Roman

  • Skiers noted a large natural avalanche on the North face of Mt Blackmore that broke overnight. The crown was around 8 feet deep. Photo: E. Roman

  • One of several natural avalanches in the upper South Cottonwood drainage that skiers saw while in Hyalite. Photo: L. Gabrielson

  • One of several natural avalanches in the upper South Cottonwood drainage that skiers saw while in Hyalite. Photo: L. Gabrielson

  • One of several natural avalanches in the upper South Cottonwood drainage that skiers saw while in Hyalite. Photo: L. Gabrielson

     

  • This large avalanche was observed on Sunday, 03/03/2024 by riders in Portal Creek. Photo taken today, 03/07/2024. Photo: G. Edwards

     

  • Skiers from History Rock saw a few recent natural avalanches on Mt. Blackmore that likely happened during or near the end of a storm on 03/02-03/03. Photo: E. Webb

  • From obs: "Shot from the top of Flanders, ~1400 this afternoon, 3/3/2024. Big slide(s) on Arden and in Maid of the Mist. Looks like the skin track and ski track between the two slides got taken out. At first glance from across the way it looked like the skin track was crossing over the debris, but when zoomed in it looks like the debris overran the skin track and the ski track." Photo: M. Zia

  • From obs: "Shot from the top of Flanders, ~1400 this afternoon, 3/3/2024. Big slide(s) on Arden and in Maid of the Mist. Looks like the skin track and ski track between the two slides got taken out. At first glance from across the way it looked like the skin track was crossing over the debris, but when zoomed in it looks like the debris overran the skin track and the ski track." Photo: M. Zia

     

  • Skiers experienced widespread cracking and collapsing while touring in Hyalite. The largest of which shot 100' out in front of them. Photo: S. Lowe

  • Skiers on 03/02/2024 observed several natural avalanches that likely happened in the last 24 hours. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Skies on 03/02/2024 observed several natural avalanches that likely happened in the last 24 hours. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Photo from IG, slide occurred night of 3/1.

  • Observed on 03/01: Riders in Hyalite saw an avalanche on an east-facing slope near Maid of the Mist. This likely happened between 02/29/2024- 03/01/2024. Photo: Anonymous

  • Skiing some dog pow across Hyalite reservoir between 7200-7800’ on a NE pitch I got lots of whumphs and shooting cracks while braking trail. This was a shallower snowpack than most other areas, it was still easy to break into basil facets with skis on.

  • Skiing some dog pow across Hyalite reservoir between 7200-7800’ on a NE pitch I got lots of whumphs and shooting cracks while braking trail. This was a shallower snowpack than most other areas, it was still easy to break into basil facets with skis on.

  • From IG: This avalanche was from this morning (02/28). It was windy and the gully was likely wind-loaded. One video shows the debris and crown. The pin on the map (below) shows the location of the debris.

  • From obs: "Several small slabs pulled out above The Shimmy, left of Cleo's. Observed from across the valley while climbing the Dribbles. Did not observe them run, only saw the crowns. Unknown date of avalanches, but crowns were quite distinct from across the way." Photo: M. Zia

  • On 02/22/2024 we saw a natural avalanche in the Divide Cirque that probably happened late last week near 02/17/2024. Photo: GNFAC

  • On 02/22/2024 from the Divide Cirque we saw a natural avalanche near Overlook Mountain that probably happened late last week near 02/17/2024. Photo: GNFAC

  • Observed on 02/19/2024: From obs: "From the approach trail to Mummy II we saw two large crowns on the ridge associated with Mt. Bole. Not sure when they happened, but they looked pretty big!" Photo: M. Bjornsson

  • Observed on 02/19/2024: From obs: "From the approach trail to Mummy II we saw two large crowns on the ridge associated with Mt. Bole. Not sure when they happened, but they looked pretty big!" Photo: M. Bjornsson

  • Observed on 02/19/2024: From obs: "From the approach trail to Mummy II we saw two large crowns on the ridge associated with Mt. Bole. Not sure when they happened, but they looked pretty big!" Photo: M. Bjornsson

  • Climbers in Hyalite saw an avalanche that likely happened in the last 48 hours above Twin Falls on 02/19/2024. The trigger is unknown, 3' at the deepest point, and broke 100' wide. Photo: R. Parsons 

     

  • Climbers in Hyalite saw an avalanche that likely happened in the last 48 hours above Twin Falls on 02/19/2024. The trigger is unknown, 3' at the deepest point, and broke 100' wide. Photo: R. Parsons 

     

  • Climbers in Hyalite saw an avalanche that likely happened in the last 48 hours above Twin Falls on 02/19/2024. The trigger is unknown, 3' at the deepest point, and broke 100' wide. Photo: R. Parsons 

     

     

  • A skier on 02/18/2024 saw a large natural avalanche on the NE face south of Flanders that likely happened on 02/15/2024. Photo: Anonymous 

  • From obs 2/17/24: "Lots of natural activity up buck ridge. The one photoed looked like it popped off this morning. Most activity we saw seemed to be on northern facing aspects" Photo: M. Forbes

Videos- Northern Gallatin

WebCams


Bozeman Pass, Looking SE

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Gallatin

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Gallatin

Extended Forecast for

14 Miles SE Gallatin Gateway MT

Winter Weather Advisory until March 28, 09:00pmClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Weather Advisory
  •  Winter Weather Advisory until March 28, 09:00pm

    NOW until
    9:00pm Thu

    Winter Weather Advisory

  • Overnight

    Overnight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers.  Patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a south wind 24 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.  Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow
    Showers and
    Patchy
    Blowing Snow

    Low: 25 °F

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A chance of snow showers between 10am and noon, then snow after noon. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible.  Patchy blowing snow. High near 34. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

    Heavy Snow
    and Patchy
    Blowing Snow

    High: 34 °F

  • Thursday
    Night

    Thursday Night: Snow showers, mainly before 3am. Some thunder is also possible.  Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Low around 17. West southwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Snow Showers
    and Patchy
    Blowing Snow

    Low: 17 °F

  • Friday

    Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers after noon.  Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Mostly Sunny
    then Chance
    Snow Showers

    High: 31 °F

  • Friday
    Night

    Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south southeast in the evening.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    Low: 18 °F

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. East wind 6 to 8 mph becoming north in the afternoon.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    High: 30 °F

  • Saturday
    Night

    Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. North northeast wind around 7 mph becoming south after midnight.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    Chance Snow

    Low: 19 °F

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Snow likely, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. South southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

    Snow Likely

    High: 29 °F

The Last Word

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