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This recent natural avalanche occurred on an E aspect on Mt. Republic just south of Cooke City. It broke several hundred feet wider than what is seen in the photo. Photo: B. Fredlund

On Sunday, February 16, three skiers were ascending a west facing slope in Beehive Basin and triggered an avalanche. It released 100 vertical feet above them, buried two and injured one. The avalanche was 50 feet wide, 18-24 inches deep and 300 feet vertical. The slope angle at the trigger point was 36 degrees and 40 degrees at the crown. The debris pile was estimated to be 40 feet wide and 6-8 feet deep. The alpha angle was 30 degrees. Avalanche classification is SS-AS-O-R4-D2.

The oval shows the location of the avalanche.

Wind loaded slopes releaed naturally in upper Pebble Creek.  These conditions are similar to mountains outside Cooke City.  Photo: B. Fredlund