GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 7, 2010
Yesterday many large avalanches occurred throughout southwest Montana.
This avalanche was intentionally triggered by an experienced snowmobiler in the Beaver Creek drainage just off Buck Ridge. His partners watched him from a safe location as he made a quick pass near the bottom of the slope. He initiated a fracture in the weak layer that propagated uphill and then propagated along this steep slope for nearly 1000ft.
This avalanche was skier triggered on a south facing slope just south of Bradley Meadows. The slide broke 3 feet deep to the ground and 75 feet wide. The skier fell 50 feet below the crown which triggered the slope. She was luckily only partially buried and escaped unharmed.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 7, 2010
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Jan 6, 2010
Sometimes avalanche forecasting can be tricky, but today isn't one of those times. From the mountains around Bozeman to Big Sky to West Yellowstone to Cooke City, the conditions are the same: Bad. Bad in a dangerous, don't-get-near-any-avalanche-terrain, way. Weak, poorly bonded, faceted snow is found on most aspects and elevations in southwest Montana. This snowpack will have a difficult time supporting the recent snows for two reasons. First, the storm put heavy, dense snow everywhere: 11-12% density. For reference, cold smoke powder is 2-3%.
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Jan 6, 2010
This photo shows an avalanche triggered by the Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol using small explosives. They triggered many like this one sliding on facets near the ground in terrain that had not been skier compacted. A natural avalanche in the backcountry of Lone Mountain can be seen in the background. Photo: Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 7, 2010
Several natural avalanches can be seen in this photo of the Fin on Mt Republic. Many others were spotted near Cooke City from small road cuts to big faces on all aspects and all elevations. Photo: B. Fredlund
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 7, 2010