09-10

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 8, 2010

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

The Bridger, Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

Where has winter gone?  At this point it seems like the lamb has been sheared and the lion has moved to the east coast.  With March typically being our snowiest, the lion needs to move back west in hurry.  As the warm weather slowly chips away at the snowpack, avalanche conditions have mellowed out.  This reduction of avalanche activity can be attributed to a few different factors. 

These large potato chip like surface hoar crystals were found on north facing slopes in Sunlight Basin and other north facing slopes in the Taylor Fork.  These large crystals formed in less than two days and will more than likely be a problem when it snows again.  Photo: Eric Knoff   

Southern Madison, 2010-03-06