17-18

<p>The mountains near Cooke City got 7-10” of snow over the last three days on top of a 12 foot deep, generally stable snowpack (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/how-deep-cooke-city-deep">photo</…;). Clear skies today may be a shock after an extra stormy winter. Wet loose avalanches of new snow are likely where the sun hits steep slopes, and could release naturally around cliffs and steep, rocky terrain (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/wet-loose-avalanches-beehive">pho…;). Avoid travel on and below steep, sunny slopes.</p>

<p>Strong wind yesterday drifted recent snow into wind slabs near ridgelines, cross-loaded gullies and steep rollovers. Avoid fresh drifts of snow on steep slopes, especially in terrain where an avalanche has high consequences. Cornices are massive and should be given a lot of space along ridgelines and slopes below.</p>

<p>Wet loose avalanches are likely today and fresh wind slabs are possible to&nbsp;trigger. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE for wet snow avalanches and MODERATE otherwise.</p>

<p>Near Bozeman, Big Sky and West Yellowstone the snowpack is generally stable (<a href="https://youtu.be/0jpDHOgb7Hs"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;), but small and isolated avalanches can be triggered. A few inches of recent snow, strong wind yesterday, and abundant snowfall all winter create a few hazards to be heads up for.</p>

<p>Strong wind yesterday drifted snow into wind slabs. I was in Beehive Basin and experienced blowing snow all day at all elevations (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/u6E7gqjb9X0">video</a></strong&gt;). Small wind slabs will quickly stabilize, but deserve caution, especially above consequential terrain.</p>

<p>Abundant snowfall all winter grew massive cornices along ridgelines (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/big-cornices-bear-basin">photo</a…;, </strong><a href="https://youtu.be/yaCiK8VlwwA"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/large-cornices-bridger-range"><st…;). Give these monsters a lot of space along ridgelines and slopes below. They can weaken and break naturally during spring sun and warm temperatures.</p>

<p>Wet loose avalanches can be triggered on sunny slopes later in the day (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/wet-loose-avalanches-beehive">pho…;). Be cautious of travel on and below steep, sunny slopes. Avoid steep slopes if the snow surface is wet, or if you see rollerballs or natural wet avalanches.</p>

<p>Avalanches breaking 2-3’ deep on buried persistent weak layers are not likely, but not ruled out in isolated areas. Eric investigated an avalanche in Red Canyon near Hebgen Lake yesterday.&nbsp; It was triggered by a snowmobiler on Wednesday and broke 2’ deep on a layer of facets on a south facing slope with a shallow snowpack (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/yrjwILDWCJE">video</a></strong&gt;). It is always worth digging to assess the snowpack before riding in avalanche terrain.</p>

<p>Small and isolated instabilities exist. Otherwise, the snowpack is generally stable and avalanche danger is <strong>LOW</strong>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, drop a line via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a&gt;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>