From IG on 04/26/2024 Photo: Beartooth Powder Guides
From IG on 04/26/2024
From obs: "When setting out to Beehive Basin today we only imagined wanting to bail if rain line was at the trailhead, but had not expected our seasons long standing PWL to turn us around. With a few inches of snow at the trailhead and temps just at freezing we set out. The new snow yesterday/last night capped a warm snowpack, keeping the snowpack from freezing at all (no crusts or other signs of superficial freezes up to 9,2000ft where we bailed despite the mid-20’s temps recorded overnight). Almost immediately out of the trailhead we got thunderous collapses so big we at first thought it was noise from control work at Big Sky. Further along we got collapses extending hundreds of feet out, valley wide and echoing up the basin. We dug to the bottom out of curiosity and found a saturated and unfrozen snowpack. The bottom 30cm was still all facets, giving the appearance that the remaining 90-110cm of consolidated snowpack was floating on air. We’re assuming the whumps/collapses are traveling along this layer of basal facets. I’m sure once it gets a solid freeze things will be alright again, but will the new snow continue to insulate the snowpack the next few nights despite the forecasted solid freezing temps? Or is this only a phenomenon that happens the 1st night of new snow falling on a warm snowpack? "
When setting out to Beehive Basin today we only imagined wanting to bail if rain line was at the trailhead, but had not expected our seasons long standing PWL to turn us around. With a few inches of snow at the trailhead and temps just at freezing we set out. The new snow yesterday/last night capped a warm snowpack, keeping the snowpack from freezing at all (no crusts or other signs of superficial freezes up to 9,200ft where we bailed despite the mid-20’s temps recorded overnight). Almost immediately out of the trailhead we got thunderous collapses so big we at first thought it was noise from control work at Big Sky. Further along we got collapses extending hundreds of feet out, valley wide and echoing up the basin. We dug to the bottom out of curiosity and found a saturated and unfrozen snowpack. The bottom 30cm was still all facets, giving the appearance that the remaining 90-110cm of consolidated snowpack was floating on air. We’re assuming the whumps/collapses are traveling along this layer of basal facets.
from obs. 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground.
Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed. Best guess is that a point release wet slide entrained enough snow to step down and release the whole face."
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>New snow will create the main avalanche hazards this weekend. Avalanches could show a range of characteristics, from slabs of wind-drifted snow to wet-loose avalanches that run long distances. Where more snow falls, slab avalanches could break within or below the new snow, even where not drifted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you travel on or below steep slopes, carefully assess the new snow for instability. Continuously reassess snow stability throughout the day, and as you move through different aspects and elevations. Watch for snow blowing across ridgelines and cracking across the snow surface as a sign that fresh, unstable drifts exist. Dig down to assess stability within and below the new snow. With above freezing daytime temperatures, expect wet snow stability to decrease through the day and plan to be off of steep slopes before the snow surface becomes sticky or wet. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wet snow avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are possible on slopes that have wet, unfrozen snow below the new snow, or where a lot of precipitation falls as rain on a wet and unsupportable snowpack. Wet slab avalanches were triggered last week by riders in the Taylor Fork (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31856"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and the Northern Gallatin Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31874"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and similar slides broke naturally on Mt. Abundance near Cooke City (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31866"><span><span><span><strong><span… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and in the Bridger Range north of Wolverine (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/wet-snow-avalanche-near-texas-mdw…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Remain diligent with snowpack assessments and careful route-finding, and be ready to adapt your travel plan to changing conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
On May 2-3, please support the excellent non-profits of Gallatin County, including the Friends of the Avalanche Center (GNFAC Giving Page HERE
From obs 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed.
From obs 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed.
Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground.
Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed. Best guess is that a point release wet slide entrained enough snow to step down and release the whole face.
