21-22

Saddle Peak

Bridger Range

1/25/2022

Code

HS-N-R1-D2-O

Elevation

8970

Aspect

Latitude

45.79430

Longitude

-110.93600

Notes

GNFAC forecasters looked at the crown of this slide on 1/27/22. It broke on the night of 1/25 or earlier. It was a 6-8" deep P+ hard slab that broke on a layer of weak facets over a hard bed surface .

Approx. 1,100' wide, measured as on GoogleEarth

Number of slides

Number caught

Number buried

Avalanche Type

Hard slab avalanche

Trigger

Natural trigger

R size

D size

Bed Surface

O - Old snow

Problem Type

Persistent Weak Layer

Read more about Natural on Saddle Peak

Slab Thickness

7.0 inches

Vertical Fall

600ft

Slab Width

1100.00ft

Weak Layer Grain type

Near surface faceted particles

Weak Layer grain size

1.00mm

Weak Layer Hardness

Slab Layer Grain Type

Wind packed

Slab Layer Hardness

P+

Images

Snowpit in crown of avalanche on Saddle

Debris from natural avalanche on Saddle

South Saddle Peak Profile - 27 Jan 2022

Shallow, wide avalanche on Saddle

Attached Videos

Weak snow on Saddle Peak - 27 Dec 2022

Slab Thickness units

inches

Single / Multiple / Red Flag

Single Avalanche

Advisory Year

21-22

Read more about Shallow, wide avalanche on Saddle

We saw this avalanche on 1/26/22 on the south summit of Saddle, and extending across the bowl Between the Peaks. Photo: GNFAC

Avalanche Details: Natural on Saddle Peak
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Jan 27, 2022

Bridger Range, 2022-01-26

Access other image sizes:

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Jan 26, 2022

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

The arithmetic is basic: Wind + snow = wind slabs. 4-6” of snow that fell in Hyalite and Big Sky Monday night got blown into thicker drifts that can be triggered today. On slopes not affected by the wind it’s unlikely to trigger an avalanche. Ian and I were on <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/19525">Wheeler Mountain</a> in the northern Gallatin Range yesterday and found sugary, faceted snow that would not support our weight when we stepped out of our skis (<a href="https://youtu.be/6ax6l1PhUb0">video</a>). We also found 6” of new snow that was likely blown into drifts last night. A skier on Divide Peak and the Big Sky Ski Patrol also reported fresh snow available for transport.

Wind drifts are most susceptible to triggering when they are new, like today. Shooting cracks are a sign that slabs of windblown snow can avalanche. Be wary near ridgetops. On slopes without wind loading it’s a good habit to dig and test before getting on steep terrain no matter the danger rating. For today the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on wind loaded slopes and LOW on all others.

The Bridger Range is windy, but lacks new snow to blow around. The southern mountains to West Yellowstone and Cooke City are calmer. Without new snow to load slopes or get blown into drifts the snowpack is generally stable and avalanches are unlikely. A buried weak layer of surface hoar is still lurking a foot or so under the surface in our southern mountains, but is not a serious concern…yet. It needs to get buried deeper, which may take a while given our paltry storms. Alex shows us this layer and reminds us to look  for signs of instability like shooting cracks in his <a href="https://youtu.be/I6AleixLxTI">video from Taylor Fork</a> this weekend. To avoid getting unlucky and finding a rogue instability, do a quick stability test before exposing yourself to serious terrain. For today the avalanche danger is rated LOW.

If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).