Relevant Observations:
Recent large avalanche observed on drive up: HS-U-R1-D2-S (didn't remember the aspect/elevation exactly)
Moderate W winds and blowing snow on drive back
Depth range of 70cm - 100cm observed
ECTN12 down 43cm (W aspect, 8960ft)
The Headwaters Snow Stake at Big Sky Resort was buried in new snow on Sunday.
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>And, just like that, it is winter and avalanche season is here. We received our first observations yesterday from the Bridger Range and the first indicators of unstable snow with it. While the reported drift was small and isolated, similar drifts will be larger and more consequential in areas with more snow and/ or exposed to more wind (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26680"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). This week, avalanches are most likely in steep terrain where the wind loads the new snow into thick drifts. The forecasted 20-35 MPH winds early in the week will exacerbate this problem. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Early-season avalanches have seriously injured and buried skiers (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/12/10/31"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), caught and injured hunters (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/15/11/06"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and resulted in tragic fatalities (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). These reports serve as reminders to EITHER avoid steep snow-covered slopes OR follow avalanche safety protocols by having a partner, backing out of steep terrain when signs of instability present themselves, traveling one at a time in terrain steeper than 30 degrees, and carrying rescue gear that you practice using (avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe). These rules apply whether you are making snow angels, hunting, sneaking in the last hike, or searching for early-season turns. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Before heading out for the first time this season, do three things. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Assess the condition of your gear… it didn’t fix itself over the summer (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izkv4IIUmbk&list=PLXu5151nmAvSpq8Ps… to video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Practice your avalanche rescue with your friends and backcountry partners (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1xuaaSq4YU&list=PLXu5151nmAvSpq8Ps… drill video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look at our avalanche </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/workshops/calendar"><span><span><span><stro… calendar</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and plan to develop your skills further this year</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Your observations are more important than ever during the early season as we get to know this season’s snowpack. If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="blank"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, 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). NEW THIS YEAR is a </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… on the website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> populated with your observations (you must opt-in for observations to be shared publically). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><br />
<span><span><span><span><span><span>We’ll be updating the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span… and Avalanche Log</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> daily and issuing pre-season bulletins as needed throughout the fall as conditions warrant. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p>This weekend’s storm delivered 20 near Island Park. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in steep terrain where the wind is loading the snow into thick drifts. Strong winds early this week will exacerbate this problem. EITHER avoid steep snow-covered slopes OR follow avalanche safety protocols by having a partner, backing out of steep terrain when signs of instability present themselves, traveling one at a time in terrain steeper than 30 degrees, and carrying avalanche rescue gear.</p>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
An observer saw evidence of wind loading creating the conditions for avalanches in the Bridger Range on Sunday. Cracking is an indicator of instability. The observer noted that the relatively small drift he saw was "nothing consequential," but this shows that unstable drifts are forming. They will be more consequential where there is more snow and as the wind creates larger drifts.
Evidence of wind-loading creating the conditions for avalanches in the Bridger Range. Cracking is an indicator of instability. The observer noted this was "Nothing consequential," but this shows that unstable drifts are forming. They will be more consequential where there is more snow and as the wind creates larger drifts. Photo: E Smith
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There is snow on the ground, so it’s time to think about avalanches. Avalanches this time of year are not uncommon, and have injured and killed people in past seasons (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accidents?page=3"><span><span><span><strong… reports</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to eke out some early season turns, chasing elk, breaking in those new snowshoes, or trying to squeeze in one last hike. If there are more than a few inches of snow - you need to be wary of steep slopes. You’re most likely to trigger an avalanche in places where wind has blown the new snow into deeper and stiffer drifts. But any slope with more than a foot of snow (even in patches) holds the potential for a dangerous avalanche. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The simplest way to stay safe is to avoid crossing or passing directly beneath any steep, snow covered slope. Even a small slide could push you into rocks or trees or pile up deep in a confined gully.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you aren’t willing and able to identify and avoid all snow covered slopes steeper than 30*, you need to prepare for avalanches like you would mid-winter. That means having a partner, traveling one at a time in avalanche terrain, carrying rescue gear (avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe) and knowing how to use it. Also looks for cracking and collapsing of the snow as bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable, and clear signs to avoid steep slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>We are preparing for winter and beginning to collect snowpack information. We’ll be updating the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span… and Avalanche Log</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> daily and issuing pre-season bulletins as needed throughout the fall. If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="blank"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, 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>
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
@0600 Temps in teens and 20s F
@0600 Rain/snow line dropping overnight. Snowfall depths approximate.
We completed the setup of a SNOdar snow depth sensor on Sawtelle Peak in the Centennials on Wednesday 10/19. Forecaster Ian Hoyer for scale.
Located at 8800 feet elevation. The sensor will record total snow depth and 24 hr snowfall. Data will be displayed on our website soon at: http://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/stations/sawtelle-snow.
