Avalanche failed on near surface facets, propagated 500 feet wide. Photo: GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 21, 2012
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 21, 2012
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Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 21, 2012
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Feb 20, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The Bridger, Madison, and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, and the mountains around Cooke City:
The snowpack continues to show signs of weakness.
A weak interface between the new storm snow and the old snow surface is producing both natural and human triggered avalanches in the mountains around Cook City. Photo Beau Fredlund
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Feb 20, 2012
8 inches of new snow was producing soft slab avalanches in the Bridger Ragne. This slide occurred in the ski area and was likely caused by control work. Photo GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Feb 20, 2012
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 19, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The Bridger, Madison, and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, and the mountains around Cooke City:
Without question this winter has been unusual. Long dry spells have been the dominating weather pattern, sporadically interrupted by quick and intermittent snow storms. This dryer than average winter has aided the development of multiple persistent weak layers which are now scattered throughout the snowpack (snowpit).
New snow and wind are producing natural and human triggered avalanches in the northern Gallatin Range. Photo Nick Stayner
This slide occurred near Cabin Creek in the southern Madison Ragne. Although small in size, the debris piled deep in the gully below. Even small slides can be dangerous, especially when associated with terrain traps. Photo Will Shoutis
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 19, 2012
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 18, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The Bridger, Madison, and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, and the mountains around Cooke City:
Winter is doing its best to make an appearance. Fresh snow has fallen nearly every day this past week, making riding conditions some of the best of the year. As the snow gradually piles up, the snowpack is working to support the new load.
A layer of small grained facets buried 2 feet deep were propagating during stability tests. We found this layer in two different pits, E and NE aspects, and it produced unstable results in both locations. It took hard force to get this layer to fail, but the fact it was consistently propagating makes it untrustworthy. Photo GNFAC