11-12

A skier triggered this slide on a west facing slope as he dropped into Beehive Basin from the Bear/Beehive divide.  The slope was 35 degrees steep and the slide broke on well developed facets two feet deep.  It ran about 50 feet wide into trees.  A snowpit on Dec 18 on a similar aspect and elevation showed this weakness in stability tests.  The 10-12" of new snow Wednesday added enough stress to create unstable conditions on this slope. Photo: Anon


Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sat Dec 24, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Dec 25, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 26, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Tue Dec 27, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Dec 28, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Dec 29, 2011
Northern Madison, 2011-12-23
Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • This skier triggered avalanche broke on well-developed facets at the ground. No one was caught.  Photo: Anon


    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sat Dec 24, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Dec 25, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Tue Dec 27, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Dec 28, 2011GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Dec 29, 2011
    Northern Madison, 2011-12-23
    Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Dec 23, 2011

    Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

    The Bridger, Gallatin and Madison Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and mountains around Cooke City:

    Weak snow continues to plague much of SW Montana, but finding avalanches today will require finding wind loaded slopes. Recent winds scoured many slopes typically wind loaded and blew snow onto others that are typically not. Additionally, increased winds today may start loading some slopes not at the top but further down, mid-path.

    Subscribe to 11-12