18-19

<p>Over the weekend, light snowfall and minimal wind gave buried weak layers time to recover from the stress of last week’s 3-4’ of heavy snow (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">weather log</a></strong></u>). In the mountains near West Yellowstone and the southern Madison and Gallatin ranges it is possible to trigger avalanches that break on weak, sugary snow at the base of the snowpack (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/big-snowmobile-triggered-avalanch…;). These deep avalanches are becoming difficult to trigger, but the consequences are deadly. On Saturday, Eric rode in Taylor Fork and saw a cornice triggered avalanche that broke at the base of the snowpack and deposited debris 10’ deep (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/large-natural-avalanche-taylor-fo…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIPUqVPE0g8&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). Yesterday skiers near Bacon Rind saw recent large natural avalanches, similar to what is possible to trigger today (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20120">details</a></strong&gt;). Wind loaded slopes are particularly dangerous. Cornices have grown large and could fall and trigger a big avalanche (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/large-cornices-sunlight-basin">ph…;). Today, avoid steep wind loaded slopes and be extra cautious of all steep slopes. Large avalanches are possible to trigger and avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong>.</p>

<p>In the mountains near Bozeman, Big Sky and Cooke City weak layers in the lower half of the snowpack are not as widespread, but exist on some slopes. Yesterday two avalanches were triggered by snowmobilers on Buck Ridge near Big Sky (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20123">details</a></strong&gt;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20131">details</a></strong&gt;), and one was triggered on Crown Butte near Cooke City (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20128">details</a></strong&gt;). All three were on wind loaded slopes and broke 3-4’ deep, likely on persistent weak layers. On Friday near Cooke City I saw an avalanche that was 4-8’ deep and triggered by a cornice fall on a heavily wind loaded slope (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOjaEWyCVdI&amp;index=2&amp;list=PLXu51…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20085">details</a></strong></u&gt;). Some slopes are strong while others are weak. This is why we carefully assess each slope, carry rescue gear and only expose one person at a time. In case we get surprised.</p>

<p>Doug and Ian rode the entire area north of Cooke City yesterday and noted only one avalanche which broke in the new snow (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20115">details</a></strong&gt;, <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?index=2&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9kuY3DxfW…;). Over the weekend similar slides were reported in Hyalite (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20125">details</a></strong&gt;), Beehive (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/natural-avalanches-beehive">photo…;), the Bridger Range (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/skier-triggered-avalanches-throne…;, <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/skier-triggered-avalanches-throne…;) and Cooke City (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/natural-avalanche-near-cooke-city…;). Today these soft slabs of recent snow are possible to trigger on previously wind loaded slopes. Avoid steeper terrain if you see cracking in the snow surface, and dig 3-4’ to check for unstable weak layers. Avalanches of recently drifted snow are possible and can break deeper on specific slopes where buried weak layers exist. Avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong> on wind loaded slopes and <strong>LOW</strong> on non-wind loaded slopes.</p>

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