Observed some cracking in wind drifted snow above tree line NE facing slope. No avalanches observed
Came across a old slide in the hell roaring drainage heading towards Gallatin. East facing. Happened sometime before the recent snow but not long ago. Initial crown seemed to be 12-18 inches and stepped down further down the slope. Was a fairly large debris pile.
Came across a old slide in the hell roaring drainage heading towards Gallatin. East facing. Happened sometime before the recent snow but not long ago. Initial crown seemed to be 12-18 inches and stepped down further down the slope. Was a fairly large debris pile. Photo: S Knowles
Old Avalanche spotted from Wilson yesterday looking North. Possible cornice fall trigger during the warm up but difficult to tell as it was quite a ways away. Photo attached. Photo: Anonymous
Came across a old slide in the hell roaring drainage heading towards Gallatin. East facing. Happened sometime before the recent snow but not long ago. Initial crown seemed to be 12-18 inches and stepped down further down the slope. Was a fairly large debris pile.
Old Avalanche spotted from Wilson yesterday looking North. Possible cornice fall trigger during the warm up but difficult to tell as it was quite a ways away. Photo attached.
Got up early and cruised around on some different aspects on Mt Blackmore. Got some shooting cracks on the N side of the mountain mid slope, textured snow and snow drifts were widespread in the basin on N aspects. Found great skiing in N facing trees on that side of the mountain lower down below the apron and such.
East face had some top loading, nothing I was concerned about below ridge lines, save for some fast sluffs!
Found some isolated pockets of surface hoar, nothing widespread.
All in all, a fun morning, be curious to see how this next one affects the stability picture.
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In popular areas, few slopes have been untouched by tracks and it’s been about a week since significant snowfall. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Persistent slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> remain the primary problem, but the odds of triggering one on most slopes is low; however, there are likely a few slopes lurking out there where you could trigger one of these slides 2-3 feet deep. Be most suspicious of slopes at mid elevations, in the trees. Check out photos from a slide in </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34421"><span><span><span><span><span><… on Friday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34413"><span><span><span><span><span><… Creek on Thursday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, and </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34368"><span><span><span><span><span><… Monday in Cooke</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> to get a sense of the type of terrain harboring the weak layer of facets responsible for these slides. This weak layer seems more pronounced in the southern Madison and Gallatin ranges and the Lionhead area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>At this point, this avalanche problem is isolated, and most slopes have generally safe avalanche conditions making the avalanche danger LOW. This doesn’t mean no danger. Isolated slopes can still produce avalanches, and I’d avoid steep terrain that runs into a terrain trap like trees, rocks, or a gully.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Shallow wind slabs - Increased winds from the west (especially in Hyalite Canyon) at upper elevations have formed wind slabs maybe 6-8 inches deep just under ridgelines. The threat of this problem will be determined by the terrain you choose today. These wind slabs will be most dangerous in extreme terrain where simply falling downhill can have severe consequences. With no new snow yesterday near Island Park, this problem is almost non-existent. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today, avalanches are unlikely on the vast majority of terrain and the avalanche danger is LOW. Watch out for and avoid pockets harboring shallow wind slabs especially in more extreme terrain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Avalanche awareness focused on springtime avalanche conditions: Thursday, March 13 at the Bozeman REI from 6-7:30 p.m.
small increase in winds yesterday afternoon/evening
