22-23

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today a person can trigger avalanches that break in recently formed drifts of snow, or fresh drifts that form as snow falls later today. Over the last three days, wind out of the north and west drifted recent new snow into thicker slabs which might avalanche under the weight of a person. Two days ago, riders north of Cooke City saw a recent snowmobile triggered slide on Crown Butte (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28183"><span><span><span><strong><span…;), and skiers triggered a small slide in a wind drift in Bradley’s meadow north of Bridger Bowl (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28188"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). There were also slides earlier this week on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28158"><span><span><span><strong><span…. Blackmore</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, in </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28186"><span><span><span><strong><span… Falls Basin</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28166"><span><span><span><strong><span… Ridge</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>and in </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28143"><span><span><span><strong><span…;. Although stability has gradually improved, recent avalanche activity is a sign to remain cautious of wind-loaded slopes for at least another day. Any new snow today will be drifted into fresh slabs that may be small, but easy to trigger. Before riding steep slopes, carefully evaluate the stability of recently formed drifts, and have a flexible plan in case you find fresh, unstable wind slabs that form today.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Recent avalanche activity appears to have broken in the recent new snow, but there are also buried weak layers in the top 3 feet of the snowpack. Avalanches on these layers are currently unlikely, but it is worthwhile to dig to assess these weak layers before riding steep slopes (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqjV1Id7_nc"><span><span><span><strong>… Ridge video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5dURPSjAX8"><span><span><span><strong>… Rind video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on non-wind loaded slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Lionhead area near West Yellowstone received less snow over the last couple weeks and avalanches are unlikely today. Yesterday Ian and I rode near Lionhead Ridge and saw one previously reported small, rider triggered avalanche from a few days ago (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/snowmobiler-triggered-avalanche-l…;). Recently formed drifts appeared to be small, not widespread and are unlikely to be triggered after having time to stabilize since they formed. Additionally, buried weak layers have become unreactive and unlikely to cause deeper avalanches. There is always some uncertainty when we generalize the snowpack over a large area, so if you choose to ride steep slopes it is worthwhile to assess the snowpack for wind-loading and buried weak layers, and always critical to follow safe travel protocols of only allowing one person at a time on or below steep slopes and carrying proper avalanche rescue gear (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxaqxUH9umA"><span><span><span><strong>… video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Today avalanches are unlikely and avalanche danger is LOW.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Expect avalanche danger to rise overnight and tomorrow. If heavy snowfall begins early today, fresh unstable drifts may form and cause danger to increase by this evening.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>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><span>…; </span></span></span></span></span></span><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><span><span><span><strong><span><span>mtavalanche@gmail.com</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>