21-22

<p>Today riders or skiers can trigger avalanches that break within or below snow that fell over the past couple weeks (4-5 ft of snow over 10 days). These large and potentially deadly avalanches have become more difficult to trigger, but we are not ready to trust persistent weak layers buried below the recent snow (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4yEaUsqo6A"><strong>Lionhead video</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLl79OtkmW4&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvR9KcA-… City&nbsp;weekly update</strong></a>). Be cautious of wind-loaded slopes, especially those loaded during the recent storm, or where you see snow being drifted into fresh slabs today. Human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>Large avalanches on Saddle Peak over the last few days are a sign that avalanches can be triggered today (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25329"><strong>details</strong></a&gt;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-large-wind-slab-argentina…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-avalanche-saddle-peak">ph…;). Yesterday we went to get a look at these slides and saw that over the last week wind has drifted snow into slabs on top of weak, faceted snow (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv0tVbc9VZw&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2…;). Strong west winds yesterday were growing fresh soft slabs which broke easily under our skis (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/fresh-reactive-wind-slabs-footbal…;), and skiers near Bradley’s Meadow reported one of these slabs avalanching naturally off the ridge (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25346">photos and details</a></strong>). Consider staying off steep, wind-loaded slopes today, especially if you see wind continuing to grow drifts (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/wind-loading-saddle-peak">photo</…;). If you choose to ski or ride steep slopes, carefully assess the snowpack for instability, and recognize the consequences if the slope were to slide. Today avalanches are possible to trigger and avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>The snowpack is mostly stable in the northern Gallatin and Madison Ranges and large avalanches are unlikely. Today you might find an isolated, unstable drift of snow. A few of these small wind slabs may form if winds increase this afternoon. Be cautious of steep slopes where terrain traps below create high consequences of being caught in a slide. Keep in mind the potential for fresh, unstable wind slabs to form with increased wind later today. If you see a lot of drifting snow or cracking around your skis in fresh drifts, consider finding less steep or non-wind loaded terrain. Today large avalanches are unlikely and avalanche danger is LOW.</p>

<p>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"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>