From obs (4/22/2020): "Early this morning we ascended near peak 10467 between Beehive and Bear Basin and skied a line off the south-east ridge. We noticed an old wet slide (a day or so) at the exit of the couloir we skied, and many more slides, point releases and large pinwheels off of south-east aspects of peak 10467 and on the saddle between peak 10467 and 10390. These all appeared to be from yesterday or the day before yesterday.
19-20
Many Natural Wet Loose Avalanches in Frazier
Frazier Basin
Bridger Range
Code
WL-N-R2-D1.5-I
Elevation
9000
Aspect Range
SE-E
Latitude
45.92330
Longitude
-110.98000
Notes
In Frazier, all surfaces except the upper north faces were getting wet and sticky. We observed lots of wet loose avalanches actively happening on SE-E facing slopes. There was one small crown on a steep East facing slope that looked to be from the most recent storm but everything else was loose wet. Small wind slabs from the last snow seemed to be glued down today.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
1.5
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Vertical Fall
600ft
Images
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
All surfaces except the upper North faces were getting wet and sticky. We observed lots of wet loose avalanches actively happening on SE-E facing slopes. We found some cold buffy snow on north-facing slopes, not amazing skiing. There was one small crown on a steep East facing slope that looked to be from the most recent storm but everything else was loose wet. Small wind slabs from the last snow seemed to be glued down today. Photo: S. Jonas
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 20, 2020
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>Wet snow avalanche danger will rise this week. The snowpack is frozen and stable this morning, and will become wet and lose strength as above freezing temperatures and sun melt the snow. Expect a similar trend the next couple days with temperatures near freezing each night and daytime highs up to 50 F. Wet loose avalanches similar to those observed over the weekend will be easy to trigger and run naturally (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-wet-loose-beehivemiddle-b…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/skier-triggered-wet-slab-playgrou…;). Large destructive wet slabs are possible the next couple days as meltwater seeps deeper into the snowpack.</p>
<p>The warmest temperatures of the year the next couple days with only brief freezing temperatures each night means the snowpack will get wet and lose strength earlier each day. Plan to start early and avoid being on or underneath steep slopes before the snow becomes wet and unsupportive (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/pinwheels-wet-snow">photo</a></st…;). Carefully assess and re-assess snow stability through the day. A wet snow surface or a thin, unsupportive crust with wet snow below indicate poor stability. Anticipate stability to vary greatly between different aspects, elevations and times of day.</p>
<p>Read <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/sites/default/files/2020-04/GNFAC%2019-20%2… season’s snowpack summary</a> </strong>for a review of the poor snowpack structure that could still produce big wet slabs. See below for additional general spring snowpack and travel advice.</p>
<p>Please continue to send us your observations. You can fill out an <a href="https://mtavalanche.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6653a830e4819c9e…; target="_blank">observation form</a>, email us (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com" target="_blank">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs). We greatly appreciate your support.</p>
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Natural wet loose in Beehive/Middle Basins
Middle Basin
Northern Madison
Code
WL-N-R2-D2-I
Elevation
9000
Aspect Range
SW-SE
Latitude
45.33740
Longitude
-111.38100
Notes
Saw quite a few natural wet slides back in Middle Basin over the past two days, April 17-18. Witnessed several break loose naturally after about 2pm on anything from SW to SE slopes
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
From IG obs (4/19/20): "Saw quite a few natural wet slides back in Middle Basin over the past two days, April 17-18. Witnessed several break loose naturally after about 2pm on anything from SW to SE slopes." Photo: @joshpelczar