20-21
Natural avalanche observed at the head of Flanders creek on 3/27/21. Photo: D. Britt
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Mar 28, 2021
From obs: "Observed a small skier triggered slide on the middle ridge of MT Blackmore today, skier was cutting across when it released." Photo: C Crowe
Skier triggered wind slab in Hyalite
From obs: "...We continued up and decided to stick to a ridgeline with trees in order to avoid the surrounding gullies which we believed may be cross-loaded. Near the top of the ridge (Around 9800') our options narrowed to either committing to climbing a gully or turning around, and after a couple hand shears we noticed the new snow was becoming stiffer and sliding easily on the crust so we ripped skins and turned around.
Our route had one area of concern on the way down, which was a small gully between a cliff band. I made a ski cut towards the top since the terrain had (relatively) lower consequence and was able to release a wind slab roughly 4-6" deep. The deeper area to the right was the descent track from group members 2 and 3 after the wind slab had released."
Skiers triggered this 4-6" deep wind slab in Hyalite on 3/27/21. Click link below for more info.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Mar 28, 2021
From obs: "Deep slab avalanche in Blackmore Basin that appeared to break on the depth hoar near the bottom of the snowpack. It was on a wind loaded NE facing slope at approx. 9,500 and looked to break on a slope in the 35-40 degree range. The crown was about 8'-10' deep and 200' wide. It broke to the ground and ripped out several small trees." Photo: JR Mooney
Skier remote triggered deep slab near Mt Blackmore
From obs: "Skied Mount Blackmore today. around 1 pm a skier remote triggered a deep slab from ~50 feet away (around the corner lookers right in the attached picture). Broke at the ground, 10-15feet deep, and took out a small tree."
From obs: "My partner and I observed a deep slab avalanche in Blackmore Basin that appeared to break on the depth hoar near the bottom of the snowpack. It was on a wind loaded NE facing slope at approx. 9,500 and looked to break on a slope in the 35-40 degree range. The crown was about 8'-10' deep and 200' wide. It broke to the ground and ripped out several small trees. As soon as we saw it, we came over a small ridge to see another skier near the debris. According to him it was triggered remotely by one of the two skiers on the coming down on the lookers right of the slide ... We confirmed that a beacon search was done to make sure no one was buried."
Skier triggered wind slabs Mt Blackmore
From obs: "Observed a small skier triggered slide on the middle ridge of MT Blackmore today, skier was cutting across when it released."
From obs: "Skied Mount Blackmore today. There was a lot more new snow than expected (6-8") and ridgetop winds were strong and gusty. Snow along the ridgelines and on E-facing slopes was touchy. Lots of cracking and collapsing. Saw 4 skier triggered slides on the E face between the Blackmore and Alex Lowe Basins. Most appeared to be wind slabs,..."
Natural avalanches in Hyalite: A Lowe peak, Flanders
From obs: "Skied Mount Blackmore today. Saw a natural avalanche on Alex Lowe peak just south of the Hellmouth,..."
Other group's obs: "I and one friend observed the remains of a natural avalanche below the north facing headwall up Flanders creek. It looked as if it happened within the past few days. I didn’t get close enough to really gauge the size in width but it propagated at the ground. The crown looked to be 3’-4’ deep..."