Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today the primary avalanche problem is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> where 5-7” of snow from Thursday was drifted into stiffer slabs. These drifts were reactive and easily triggered the last couple days. Yesterday in the northern Bridgers skiers triggered a few wind slabs that were 8-10” deep and 10-20’ wide. One person was caught and carried ten feet (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34550"><span><span><span><strong><span… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Two days ago Ian and I found similar fresh drifts that easily cracked under our skis (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/25/reactive-wind-slabs"><span><span>…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/25/reactive-wind-slabs-2"><span><spa…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8xb7L0c0Ug"><span><span><span><strong>…;
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Above freezing temperatures and sunny skies will make </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> a concern later in the day. These will probably be small, but could easily knock over a person. Watch and feel for a wet or moist snow surface to indicate you could trigger shallow loose snow slides, and anticipate this hazard to develop mostly around rock outcrops on slopes that receive direct sunshine. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Remain cautious of travel on steep wind-loaded slopes and steep sunny slopes today, especially above cliffs, rocks or thick trees where even a smaller slide would be more dangerous.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Near West Yellowstone and the southern Madison and Gallatin ranges an additional concern is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Persistent Slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> breaking 2-3’ deep on weak layers buried in late January. The last of these deeper avalanches were over a week ago (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/25/wind-loaded-slide-backside-lionhe…;). The likelihood has decreased, but the size would be big enough to have serious consequences. These slides were mostly on mid-elevation slopes with trees around and have surprised riders, leading to several close calls (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34421"><span><span><span><strong><span…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34413"><span><span><span><strong><span… Creek</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Travel one person at a time across steep slopes and have a partner watching from a safe spot. If you ride steeper slopes, choose terrain with minimal trees, rocks, cliffs or confined gullies. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Cooke City got less new snow last week, so the likelihood and size of potential avalanches is smaller. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are a concern, but their size will be small and distribution is minimal. Avalanches breaking deeper on buried weak layers are unlikely. The last of these persistent slab avalanches were a couple weeks ago (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34382"><span><span><span><span><span><…;), and were the only slides of this type near Cooke City over the last couple months.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While the snowpack is generally stable, you should follow standard safe protocols for travel in avalanche terrain. Expose only one person at a time to steep slopes and carry proper rescue gear (transceiver, probe and shovel). Stay alert for recent drifts and wet loose avalanches, especially in terrain where a small slide has higher consequences. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is LOW near Cooke City.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar
