20-21

<p>In the last two days, Cooke City received 13” of new snow (1.2” of <a href="https://mtavalanche.com/taxonomy/term/451">snow water equivalent</a>, SWE) with 4-7” (0.5-0.6” of SWE) in the mountains around West Yellowstone, Bozeman, and Big Sky. Yesterday, a skier in Hyalite observed this new snow getting drifted by the wind and got an unstable test result with an extended column test. Avalanches will be most likely where the wind has drifted the new snow and in areas where there was snow on the ground before the last storm. Recent avalanche activity, whumphing, and cracks shooting out from your feet indicate danger if you are on a steep slope. Move to flatter terrain and obsess about the consequences of even a small slide. If you are getting out in the mountains, everyone in your group needs to carry and know how to use a beacon, shovel, and probe.</p>

<p>If you decide to hold off and wait for more snow, practice with your rescue equipment and take an avalanche class. <strong>TONIGHT</strong>, Ian and Alex will discuss local avalanche issues and strategies at the virtual <a href="http://www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/SAW.html"><strong>MSU Snow and Avalanche Workshop</strong></a> at 7:00 p.m.</p>

<p>Remember that avalanches do not care whether you are bringing an elk out of the mountains or searching for powder. Dial back early season objectives to reflect higher levels of uncertainty this time of year and the consequences of getting dragged across rocks and through trees by an avalanche.</p>

<p>We’ll be updating the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><strong>weather log</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos"><strong>photos page</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><strong>avalanche activity list</strong></a> daily and issuing early season updates throughout the fall as conditions merit. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share, please submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>The recent warm weather provided an opportunity to check your shovel and probe for damage, put fresh batteries in your beacon and brush up on your avalanche assessment skills. We are back to winter and avalanche danger will increase with this new snow and wind. If you go to the mountains to hike, ski, snowmobile, ice climb or hunt, continuously assess if you are on or below steep slopes of any size. And if so, ask, is the snow capable of sliding? If the answer is yes or you are not sure, find lower angle terrain to travel in for the day.</p>

<p>Today be extra cautious of steep slopes with fresh drifts. These drifts are likely unstable and can avalanche, especially where they are deposited over old snow. Dig a quick snowpit to assess the stability of the new snow, and watch for cracking around your skis or feet as a sign the snow is unstable. <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23042">Photos of avalanches near Cooke City</a></strong> at the end of the last storm show one example of what is possible today and this week.</p>

<p>Snow and cold get me excited to carve turns and climb up mountains, whether on snowmobile, with crampons or skis. Whatever your mode of travel remember it is early, coverage is thin and our brains, bodies and gear need to re-adjust to winter. Start the season with small objectives, and allow time to discuss conditions or fix that broken piece of gear that was ignored when bike season started.</p>

<p>Tomorrow night, Ian and I will present at the <strong><a href="http://www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/SAW.html">MSU Snow and Avalanche Workshop</a></strong>. We will discuss local terrain, and how to apply some of the resources on our website to assess conditions. It will be live online and a great way to get in the winter mindset.</p>

<p>We’ll be updating the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><strong>weather log</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos"><strong>photos page</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><strong>avalanche activity list</strong></a> daily and issuing early season updates throughout the fall as conditions merit. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share, please submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>