18-19

<p>With the exception of the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the snowpack throughout our advisory area is 2-3 feet deep, supportive, and lacks widespread buried weak layers. We observed these generally stable conditions over the past week in Hyalite (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450oUoQ6QYs&amp;index=2&amp;list=PLXu51…;), Taylor Fork (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8OXT0t4Eak&amp;index=5&amp;list=PLXu51…;), near Big Sky (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450oUoQ6QYs&amp;index=3&amp;list=PLXu51…;), and the Bridger Range (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLfkYW66kDE&amp;index=6&amp;list=PLXu51…;). The snowpack near West Yellowstone is shallower and weaker (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl5lygIF7s4&amp;index=9&amp;list=PLXu51…;), but generally stable for now without recent snow and wind.</p>

<p>Reported avalanche activity last week was confined to small avalanches of new and wind-drifted snow (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">Avalanche Activity</a></strong>). Four days without snow or heavy wind-loading makes avalanches unlikely to be triggered today. Ice climbers in Hyalite&nbsp;triggered a small wind-drifted pocket of snow yesterday (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/ice-climber-triggered-small-wind-…;), which shows avalanches are not impossible. Remain cautious of wind-loaded slopes and assess the consequences of being caught in even a small slide. Today, generally safe avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated <strong>LOW</strong>.</p>

<p>Check out the <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snowpits">snowpit profile page</a></strong> on our website for a snapshot of the snowpack structure across our advisory area.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>The lack of new snow and wind has created generally stable conditions. Yesterday, Doug and I found good stability in the gullies around Hyalite (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450oUoQ6QYs&amp;index=2&amp;list=PLXu51…;). Alex also found stable conditions on Buck Ridge south of Big Sky (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450oUoQ6QYs&amp;index=3&amp;list=PLXu51…;). We did receive one report of a natural avalanche outside of Cooke City. This slide appeared to be the result of heavy wind loading earlier in the week (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/natural-avalanche-cooke-city-9">p…;).</p>

<p>Today, it’s unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on wind loaded slopes, but it’s not impossible. Watch for and assess areas of wind drifted snow before committing to steeper terrain. It only takes a small slide to create a dangerous situation, especially in a thin early season snowpack.</p>

<p>Outside of isolated instabilities the snowpack is generally stable. Check out our snowpit profile page&nbsp;for a complete list of profiles across the advisory area (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snowpits">profile page</a></strong>). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Today, generally safe avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated&nbsp;<strong>LOW</strong>.</p>

<p>Alex will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning by 7:30 a.m. If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>