A skier outside of Cooke City observed this natural avalanche on a north facing slope up Sheep Creek. The slide appears to be the result of heavy wind loading. Photo:B. Fredlund
<p>It doesn’t need to be snowing for the avalanche danger to increase. On Tuesday, skies were clear but strong winds combined with abundant low-density snow formed sensitive wind slabs on all aspects and elevations. These slabs failed naturally and with human triggers. Fortunately, all activity stayed confined to new snow and didn’t step into layers deeper in the pack. Visit our <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photo</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9kuY3DxfWN1qiU7IeX…; pages for a more comprehensive look at recent events.</p>
<p>Yesterday, winds decreased but avalanches still occurred. The Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered wind slabs during control work and a skier near Imp Peak in the southern Madison Range also triggered a small wind slab (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/skier-triggered-slide-imp-peak">p…;). These are good reminders that wind loaded slopes still hold the potential to fail under the weight of a skier or rider. Today, watch for and avoid rounded pillows of wind drifted snow and always be thinking about the consequences of a slide. Slopes with terrain traps such as gullies, cliff bands or dense trees will amplify the consequences of being caught. <em>Extra caution is advised for all ice climbers attending the Bozeman Ice Festival. The steep gullies up Hyalite need to be traveled with caution.</em></p>
<p>Today, human triggered avalanches are possible on wind loaded slopes which have a <strong>MODERATE</strong> avalanche danger. Non-wind loaded slopes have a <strong>LOW</strong> avalanche danger. </p>
<p>I 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>, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
BOZEMAN
Tonight, December 6, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness and Beacon Practice, 6:30-8 p.m. at Story Mill Park.
December 7 and 9, Beacon Park for the Bozeman Ice Fest, Grotto Falls parking lot, Hyalite Canyon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Skiers descending Imp Peak in the southern Madison Range triggered this small wind slab. This is bull's eye information that larger slides are possible on wind loaded slopes.
