20-21

<p>Large, dangerous, human triggered avalanches are likely today. Yesterday, an avalanche was triggered remotely (from a distance) in Cinnamon Creek (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23650"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;), and there were many large collapses reported in the northern Madison and Bridger Ranges including some cracks breaking 300 ft away from the trigger point (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23646"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23653"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;). Yesterday, Alex and I saw 9 human triggered and natural avalanches on Buck Ridge that broke since Tuesday. A slide triggered on Thursday afternoon broke 2 ft deep and 1000 ft wide (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCI4BiZ14CY"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/beaver-creek-wide-slide-pano"><st…;).</p>

<p>All of this activity is happening on the weak snow at the ground. We’re on the tail end of the largest loading event of the year. The snowpack is telling us it needs time to adjust and stabilize. With snow this weak, stabilization is a slow process. For now, the snowpack remains touchy. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes. You can trigger slides from the bottom and they may break wider than you’d expect.</p>

<p>Human triggered avalanches are likely and the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE.</p>

<p>The overall story is the same in the northern Gallatin Range, aside from recent snowfall totals. There is weak snow at the ground capped by recent snowfall. With less new snow, the snowpack is not as widely reactive, but if triggered a slide will be just as dangerous. Watch for and search out signs of instability before exposing yourself to steep slopes. The avalanche danger is MODERATE today.</p>

<p>Yesterday, a group of skiers triggered an avalanche on The Fin, near Cooke City (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/skier-triggered-fin"><strong><u>p…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23644"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;). Three people were caught and partially buried. One skier was buried face down and briefly lost consciousness while another was injured severely enough to require a helicopter evacuation. In a separate incident, a skier triggered and was carried by a slide that broke 2 ft deep and ran 500 vertical ft on the south face of Meridian Peak (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23651"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;). While weak snow is not widespread, clearly some slopes harbor an unstable recipe. These avalanches are good reminders to stay conservative in your terrain selection, vigilant in your snowpack assessment,&nbsp;and diligent with your safe travel protocols. Only expose one person at a time to steep slopes. Today, human triggered avalanches are <strong><em>possible</em></strong> and the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>