24-25

Cornice Fall Triggered Avalanche in Sage Basin

Taylor Fork
Southern Madison
Code
HS-NC-R2-D2-O
Elevation
9200
Aspect
NE
Latitude
44.94920
Longitude
-111.30900
Notes

Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

We spotted a few old avalanches. One in Cabin Creek that was triggered two days ago by snowmobilers on a N facing aspect. At the top of Carrot Basin, we saw a small avalanche (R1-D1) on a N aspect that likely broke yesterday on buried weak layers. We also spotted one cornice-fall triggered (R2-D2) avalanche that broke earlier this week in Sage Basin and then an older wind slab in Sunlight Basin.

 

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Cornice fall
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Cornice Fall
Vertical Fall
200ft
Slab Width
200.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Small PWL Avalanche in Carrot Basin

Taylor Fork
Southern Madison
Code
HS-AM-R1-D1-O
Elevation
9000
Aspect
N
Latitude
45.06070
Longitude
-111.27200
Notes

Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

We spotted a few old avalanches. One in Cabin Creek that was triggered two days ago by snowmobilers on a N facing aspect. At the top of Carrot Basin, we saw a small avalanche (R1-D1) on a N aspect that likely broke yesterday on buried weak layers. We also spotted one cornice-fall triggered (R1-D2) avalanche that broke earlier this week in Sage Basin and then an older wind slab in Sunlight Basin. 

 

 

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowmobile
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
12.0 inches
Vertical Fall
50ft
Slab Width
25.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Cornice Fall Avalanches in upper South Cottonwood

Alex Lowe Peak
Northern Gallatin
Code
C-N-R1-D1.5
Elevation
9000
Aspect
N
Latitude
45.42720
Longitude
-111.01400
Notes

Pictures of two cornice triggered avalanches way up the South Cottonwood drainage that was viewed from Alex Lowe. Looks to be in the recent days, around 9,000 feet North facing.

Also a massive cornice that had cracked and was slowly making its way towards falling down. Cornice was around 50 feet long, and largely overhanging. On the standard ascent of the East Ridge of Alex Lowe, the skin track usually travels below this cornice while ascending to the ridge.

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Cornice fall
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1.5
Problem Type
Cornice Fall
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Pictures of two cornice triggered avalanches way up the South Cottonwood drainage that was viewed from Alex Lowe. Looks to be in the recent days, around 9,000 feet North facing. Photo: S Lipsteuer

Northern Gallatin, 2025-03-01