Loud pow, obvious near surface faceting on most slopes, thin breakable sun crust on S aspects, wind affected on unprotected NW aspects at ridge line, ECTX x2, lots of deadfall, still too thin in many places for enjoyable skiing
Loud pow, obvious near surface faceting on most slopes, thin breakable sun crust on S aspects, wind affected on unprotected NW aspects at ridge line, ECTX x2, lots of deadfall, still too thin in many places for enjoyable skiing
During our trek up to Narcolepsy and the Champagne climbs, we observed a large amount of surface hoar atop the snow. There were large (1/4-1/2”) flat crystals growing from the snow sitting on a small icy faceted layer. It seemed to be widespread and was found throughout most of the canyon. We figured this may cause instability during the next snow accumulation
During our trek up to Narcolepsy and the Champagne climbs, we observed a large amount of surface hoar atop the snow. There were large (1/4-1/2”) flat crystals growing from the snow sitting on a small icy faceted layer. It seemed to be widespread and was found throughout most of the canyon. We figured this may cause instability during the next snow accumulation.
En route to Narcolepsy, we encountered waist deep powder and very unconsolidated snow. Even higher up near the climb we did not find any evidence of wind slabs or consolidated snow. We did witness a small loose snow avalanche on a sun exposed slope with an obvious fan caused from the moving snow.
During our trek up to Narcolepsy and the Champagne climbs, we observed a large amount of surface hoar atop the snow. There were large (1/4-1/2”) flat crystals growing from the snow sitting on a small icy faceted layer. It seemed to be widespread and was found throughout most of the canyon. We figured this may cause instability during the next snow accumulation.
During our trek up to Narcolepsy and the Champagne climbs, we observed a large amount of surface hoar atop the snow. There were large (1/4-1/2”) flat crystals growing from the snow sitting on a small icy faceted layer. It seemed to be widespread and was found throughout most of the canyon. We figured this may cause instability during the next snow accumulation
Toured into divide basin on Friday. Looking at the north face of hyalite peak we saw a slide that went to the ground, and was about 150 feet wide. It possible this slide propagated further, but severe wind loading was actively occurring and it was hard to tell if the crown had been filled back in. We dug a pit at 9300 feet on a SÉ aspect and found a 80-100 cm HS and right side up snow pack with minor faceting below a crust 30 cm from the bottom.
Toured into divide basin on Friday. Looking at the north face of hyalite peak we saw a slide that went to the ground, and was about 150 feet wide. It possible this slide propagated further, but severe wind loading was actively occurring and it was hard to tell if the crown had been filled back in. We dug a pit at 9300 feet on a SÉ aspect and found a 80-100 cm HS and right side up snow pack with minor faceting below a crust 30 cm from the bottom.
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Last week snowfall was followed by wind. Consequently, skiers reported wind slab avalanches in our northern areas on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><span><span><span><stro… list</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). The most consequential was yesterday in Beehive Basin when </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26874"><span><span><span><strong><span… narrowly missed</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>getting hit by a natural avalanche of wind-blown snow (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/EB4wShnnMJ4?feature=share"><span><span><span… video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Seeing natural avalanches roar past is thankfully a rare occurrence. This near-miss is all the evidence we need to know that wind-drifts are ready to break. I do not expect many natural slides, but skier or sledder triggered avalanches are on the menu the next few days.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Be on the lookout for densely packed wind drifted snow. Shooting cracks are a sign the snow wants to avalanche. If you are planning on getting into avalanche terrain, make sure you do your homework and dig and test. We have a layered snowpack, avalanche activity and propagating cracks to contend with. Carry rescue gear, go with a partner and only travel one at a time in avalanche terrain; timeless advice for anyone who plays on snow covered slopes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Thank you for sending in your observations. They are all listed on the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… Observations Page</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>and contribute to our understanding of this season’s snowpack by </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron… your observations</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Ian will update this information on Wednesday morning. If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron…;, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Island Park area has about 4 feet of snow on the ground (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yw-PrBh6FU&list=PLXu5151nmAvTi1DBS… Peak video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Wind the last few days has likely drifted snow that could avalanche. Shooting cracks are a sign the snow wants to avalanche. If you are planning on getting into avalanche terrain, make sure you do your homework and dig and test the shallow snowpack. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
