Crown of avalanche that was triggered by a group of four skiers. Two were partially buried (1 injured, 1 killed) on 1/25/19. They were all ascending and near the top of the path when the avalanche broke. The top two skiers held onto trees as the avalanche pushed by them. Photo: GNFAC
Looking uphill from where the victim was partially buried against a tree. A group of four skiers were caught, and two were partially buried (1 injured, 1 killed) on 1/25/19. The other partially buried skier was 200' lower. They were all ascending and near the top of the path when the avalanche broke. The top two skiers held onto trees as the avalanche pushed by them. Photo: GNFAC
Looking downhill past where the victim was partially buried against a tree. A group of four skiers were caught, and two were partially buried (1 injured, 1 killed) on 1/25/19. The other partially buried skier was 200' lower. They were all ascending and near the top of the path when the avalanche broke. The top two skiers held onto trees as the avalanche pushed by them. Photo: GNFAC
Overview of avalanche path where a group of four skiers were caught, and two were partially buried (1 injured, 1 killed) on 1/25/19. Crown is marked by black line and location of partial burial/deceased is tip of red arrow. The other partially buried skier was 200' lower. They were all ascending and near the top of the path when the avalanche broke. The top two skiers held onto trees as the avalanche pushed by them. Photo: GNFAC
Location (red dot) of skier that was partially buried and killed in an avalanche near Bell Lake on 1/25/19. Photo: GNFAC
<p>The avalanche fatality in the Tobacco Roots yesterday is a somber reminder that dangerous avalanches remain likely in the backcountry. This is the eighth U.S. avalanche fatality during the month of January. A hundred good decisions in the backcountry can be offset by one poor decision. When conditions are unstable, it is best to play the conservative card and avoid avalanche terrain.</p>
<p>Today, the snowpack will be working hard to adjust to the recent load of new and wind-blown snow. As the pack slowly gets a breather, signs of instability such as cracking/collapsing and avalanches will become less likely. This can create a false sense of security the snowpack is getting more stable. Don’t be fooled!</p>
<p>Avalanches are still likely on steep slopes. Areas with wind drifted snow will be the most unstable (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/wind-loaded-slope-buck-ridge">pho…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVFaUMY0NQg&list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). Yesterday, skiers near the south boundary of Saddle Peak observed a large natural avalanche pour over the southern end of the cliffs into the Going Home Chute. This slide is bull’s eye data that yesterday’s loading event pushed the snowpack past its breaking point. Strong west-northwest winds will continue to transport low density snow and form thick wind drifts that will be easy to trigger or could fail naturally. Today, watch for and avoid all wind loaded slopes. </p>
<p>A secondary but more dangerous problem are slides breaking on persistent weak layers buried mid pack or near the ground (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/west-side-bridger-avalanche">phot…;). It is likely the slide that caused the fatality in the Tobacco Roots failed on a persistent weak layer buried deep in the pack. The skiers reported hearing a loud collapse before the avalanche occurred, a tell-tale sign the slide failed on faceted snow. Areas with a shallower snowpack (less than 3’ deep) are the most likely to harbor a poor structure (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/unstable-test-results-mt-ellis">p…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orGDvzUtVcw&list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). All slopes should be considered suspect until proven otherwise.</p>
<p>Today, dangerous avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated <strong>CONSIDERABLE</strong>.</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>, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Saturday, February 2 at Bridger Bowl. This is the Friends of the Avalanche Center’s second biggest fundraiser of the year. Come on out and help us raise some money by hiking and skiing some laps on the ridge. Prizes, camaraderie and a good time is guaranteed.
Deep section of crown of a large natural avalanche on the West side of the Bridgers behind Bridger Bowl on morning of 1/24. Photo: BBSP
