On January 1, 2021 at approximately 1500 hrs a skier triggered this avalanche on Saddle Peak south of Bridger Bowl. Photo: Bridger Bowl
-Average HS at 8800’ 70cm
-Many small, localized collapses in E-facing meadows above 8600’ once away from existing skin tracks
- Calm to light winds from SW; trees holding 3-6” of snow depending on elevation; trace of new snow accumulated throughout the day; Sky obscured for much of the morning and early afternoon
Pit data from 8900’, E aspect, 25 degree slope:
Weakest layer is 1.5 to 2 mm facets found 30 cm above ground. Test results on this layer were ECTP13, ECTP 17, and PST 20/100 (end) down 35 cm on the facets.
Poor snowpack structure but at least it’s quick and easy digging :-)
While traversing across a slope to skin track mid-way down bear basin the steep rollover, heard a large whumph. ~8650’ elevation and east aspect. 3 skiers in party
Not much to report. Snowpack as expected from your videos. Approx 2.5’ with top half fine grained barely cohesive sugar, bottom half well formed TG. ECT 3 with no propagation — just collapse at top/bottom half boundary. Not a single whumph, settle, nor crack all day. Skied three different slopes. Very tedious trail breaking on the up and deep-surfing on the down. Just a pile of sugar that’s going to get real spooky with any new snow on top of it. Upper trail over/around all the deadfall on the way out was sport death. No injuries that can’t be fixed with Ptex. Good day.
ps, parking lot was unplowed. Any idea whether that’s done directly by USFS or contracted out? It is going to get real tight later in the season if the pandemic-driven crowds materialize as has been predicted.
At approximately 10AM this morning, I was skinning on the ridge between Beehive and Bear Basin before looking at a few low angle meadows to ski. My friends and I settled on a short, east-facing meadow that did not descend all the way into Bear Basin since we knew we did not want to enter avalanche terrain. The end of our run was at approximately 9100 feet. After the four of us skied, transitioned, and started skinning back up, the fourth member of our party (who was the last person skinning) heard a loud "whumpf" and saw a shooting crack propagate from our skin track to the right and left of us, approximately 60-80' wide. The slope was around 25 degrees. I included a photo of the crack, since it was not the surface layer of the snow that failed (the new 4" of powder from yesterday) but the older crust underneath it.
Went for a quick tour up Goose Creek this AM. Looks like a few inches of snow out of the most recent cycle on top of a very weak base (shocking). No more than 10-12in coverage up top. Clear skies, no wind, temp ~30F.
No evidence of wind loading or any slab formation. Just enough snow to navigate without damaging your skis and get a few turns up high.
<p>While the Bridger Range and Lionhead area are a two hour drive apart, you’ll find similar conditions in the two areas today. These areas saw the most snowfall out of this last storm (5-6”) and in the case of the Bridgers, also the strongest winds (with gusts of 40 mph). This combination, on top of a weak lower snowpack, has created unstable conditions and avalanches will be easily triggered today on wind-loaded slopes. With increased winds overnight in the Bridger Range, expect to find newly formed and thicker wind drifts today. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the snowpack is bringing 2020’s problems into the new year. The weak snow at the ground has shown it can’t handle a load. Each time we’ve gotten even a small snowfall we’ve seen signs of instability, either avalanches or dramatic “whumpfs” and collapsing of the snowpack (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWeNgK6_PTs&list=PLXu5151nmAvQDzKmH…;). Expect the same today. If you get onto a steep windloaded slope, you are likely to trigger a slide. Avoid steep windloaded slopes and carefully assess all other steep slopes.</p>
<p>The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on windloaded slopes today and MODERATE on all other slopes. </p>
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<p>The Madison and Gallatin Ranges have the same weak snowpack, just with a slightly smaller load of new snow. Triggering an avalanche on weak snow near the ground is a very real possibility. Stay on alert for bullseye signs of instability - recent avalanches, collapses, or shooting cracks. If you don’t see these clear signs, dig a snowpit and keep searching for instability (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8W8nlUMpw"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;). We’ve seen avalanches even with small loading events this year and just can’t trust this snowpack (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jzopnikTNE"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;
<p>Human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>
<p>You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche today near Cooke City. However, if you get unlucky and find just the wrong spot you could still trigger a slide. On Wednesday morning, a snowmobiler triggered a slide on Crown Butte that ran 400 vertical feet and piled up debris that was easily deep enough to bury someone (<a href="https://youtu.be/UEY5A4YXibg"><strong><u>video</u></strong></a>). This is a good reminder to always be prepared and carry rescue gear so you’re ready to respond if something goes wrong. The avalanche danger is LOW today.</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>
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