22-23

We skied around Wolverine Bowl, the Playground, and Texas Meadows.There were 2-3” of new and wind drifted snow. The winds were gusting 15-20 mph and transporting the new snow. We dug in the Playground at 8,000’ on a N facing aspect, the new snow was moving on the old wind slab (ECTN 1), and the wind slab about 1 foot below the surface did not propagate (ECTN13). The unsupportable wind slab in the playground sent us over to Texas Meadows, and we dug at 7,800’ on the NE aspect. We did not see the wind slab here, and we got an ECTP 26 in the facets near the ground (3’ below the surface). It will take a lot more snow and wind to reactivate this layer. Looking forward to tomorrow the new and wind drifted snow is the biggest concern in the Bridgers--especially in complex avalanche terrain and along the ridgeline.

Observed this cornice fall triggered slide morning of 1/19/23. It was not there the previous morning which was sunny and clear. Photo: GNFAC

Observed this cornice fall triggered slide morning of 1/19/23. It was not there the previous morning which was sunny and clear. Photo: GNFAC

Beartooth Powder Guides reported remote triggering a small wind slab on the SH layer and a small natural in the lower part of the Bowl that also likely slid on the fresh SH 40’ wide 4” thick. East aspect 9900’.

From Big Sky Ski Patrol 1/21/23: "skier triggered a surface wind slab in Wyoming Bowl that broke 8-12” deep. It propagated to an estimated 150’ wide- SS, R1/D1.5... The slide was small, no one was hurt, and the avalanche was reported (which we appreciate), with no further public involvement other than the trigger."