Walkabout around Bacon Rind area, 8000’, E aspect. No formal tests performed, poor structure, HS 90cm, basal facets (2-4mm) make up the bottom 25cm of snowpack. Surface hoar formed in the last 48 hours will be something to watch out for moving forward. Kept it mellow and enjoyed the better than expected coverage.
Dug a pit on a NE slope at 7800 feet up Dudley Creek. Snowpack is shallow- about 2 ft/59 cm (depth didn't change as we went higher). Compression test broke on facets at the ground (CT20). No fracture or propagation during the ECT (ECTX)
ENE aspect (right where everybody skins up on the climber's left), no result on an ECT. A pretty condensed layer of facets at the ground (not sugary, had to really push to get my hand through it), newer snow on top of that, seemed non-reactive; pushed my shovel behind the column after all the hits, the whole thing slid on facets at the ground with some effort, but the column wasn't super cohesive - just sorta broke apart. Some obvious wind-loading at the ridge, but the face was skiing well (the stream out could use a bit more snow and a bit fewer downed trees, but it's very doable).
We skied divide peak this morning. The snow surface is wind affected in some areas but SE facing slopes near the E ridge provided good skiiing. We dug a snow pit at the base of Divide Peak (approx. 9300 feet, location on map below) in an open meadow south of the summit. Snow depth was 110 cm. Old faceted snow formed the lower 45 cm of the snowpack with a distinctive hard crust 35 cm from the ground. The top of the snowpack was well bonded and right side up. Stability test result: ECTN.
Went up Blackmore creek early this morning to assess steeper terrain, with plans to ski the laser on Elephant Mountain. We decided to boot up the couloir in order to assess the snowpack as we ascended. Through he first quarter of the line we generally found a dense but very thin windslab/board on the surface, with relatively consistent snow beneath. Upon noticing an increase in density at 9350', we isolated a crude column (2' deep) with the handle of our ski pole. We tested this column, finding two clean fractures separating dense & cohesive slabs. The upper slab was approximately 8-10" thick, the one beneath about 3".
We retreated and skied back to the car.
In the pictures, the 3" thick slab can be clearly seen, the 8-10" slab at the top of the snowpack is toppled upside down, but had similar density and cohesion.
From BPG obs 12/31/21: "We did observe a crown at the back of the valley to the south (climber's left) of "Tea and Crumpets". Only looked about 50-75' wide but deep, exposing rocks/ground in places. Couldn't get a good photo with limited visibility."
<p>Today riders or skiers can trigger avalanches that break within or below snow that fell over the past couple weeks (4-5 ft of snow over 10 days). These large and potentially deadly avalanches have become more difficult to trigger, but we are not ready to trust persistent weak layers buried below the recent snow (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4yEaUsqo6A"><strong>Lionhead video</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLl79OtkmW4&list=PLXu5151nmAvR9KcA-… City weekly update</strong></a>). Be cautious of wind-loaded slopes, especially those loaded during the recent storm, or where you see snow being drifted into fresh slabs today. Human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>
<p>Large avalanches on Saddle Peak over the last few days are a sign that avalanches can be triggered today (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25329"><strong>details</strong></a>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-large-wind-slab-argentina…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-avalanche-saddle-peak">ph…;). Yesterday we went to get a look at these slides and saw that over the last week wind has drifted snow into slabs on top of weak, faceted snow (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv0tVbc9VZw&list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2…;). Strong west winds yesterday were growing fresh soft slabs which broke easily under our skis (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/fresh-reactive-wind-slabs-footbal…;), and skiers near Bradley’s Meadow reported one of these slabs avalanching naturally off the ridge (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25346">photos and details</a></strong>). Consider staying off steep, wind-loaded slopes today, especially if you see wind continuing to grow drifts (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/wind-loading-saddle-peak">photo</…;). If you choose to ski or ride steep slopes, carefully assess the snowpack for instability, and recognize the consequences if the slope were to slide. Today avalanches are possible to trigger and avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>
<p>The snowpack is mostly stable in the northern Gallatin and Madison Ranges and large avalanches are unlikely. Today you might find an isolated, unstable drift of snow. A few of these small wind slabs may form if winds increase this afternoon. Be cautious of steep slopes where terrain traps below create high consequences of being caught in a slide. Keep in mind the potential for fresh, unstable wind slabs to form with increased wind later today. If you see a lot of drifting snow or cracking around your skis in fresh drifts, consider finding less steep or non-wind loaded terrain. Today large avalanches are unlikely and avalanche danger is LOW.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Get your avalanche brain ready for the season at one of the many classes listed on our education calendar, and list of upcoming events below.
From obs: 01/01/22: "Saw a small slide come off the ridge. We dug a pit and the wind slab was 8 inches to a foot and a half. During our snow tests it consistently broke on the week layer around a foot deep." Photo: B. Paulson
Saw a small slide come off the ridge. We dug a pit and the wind slab was 8 inches to a foot and a half. During our snow tests it consistently broke on the week layer around a foot deep.
