Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today avalanches can be triggered on wind-loaded slopes where the new snow was drifted into thicker slabs. These slabs are 4-12” deep and sitting on a very weak snowpack which is causing them to break easily and propagate wide. Watch for signs of recent wind-loading such as cornices, rounded smooth pillows of snow and snow surfaces with wavy textures. Be extra cautious of slopes that appear wind-loaded. Cracking across the surface of the snowpack is a sign you have found an unstable drift that will slide on steep slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Additionally, the weak snowpack is contributing to large dry loose avalanches on long, sustained steep slopes (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/dry-loose-avalanches-weak-facets"… from Buck Ridge</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><strong><span><span>, </span></span></strong></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/skier-triggered-loose-snow-avalan… from Beehive</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/loose-snow-avalanche-henderson"><… from Cooke</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). These ”facet sloughs” carry plenty of force to knock you over as they entrain almost the entire snowpack. Yesterday at Buck Ridge we saw a fresh natural avalanche and easily intentionally triggered a few shallow wind slabs and long running facet sloughs (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0LROtnc7Us&list=PLXu5151nmAvSH326z…;, </span></span></strong></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29802"><span><span><span><strong><span… slab photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>,</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29799"><span><span><span><span><span><…; </span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>natural avalanche photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Near West Yellowstone and Island Park, where up to 9” of low density snow fell (0.3” of snow water equivalent), larger avalanches are possible. In general, current avalanche concerns are small and easy to identify, but they point to a very unstable snowpack. The weak snowpack could cause avalanches to break above you, wider or larger than expected. Any size slide can get you into trouble if it carries you into trees, over cliffs or rocks, or piles up deeper in a confined gully.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Before crossing steep slopes, carefully assess the snowpack for signs of wind-loading and consider the consequences of an avalanche. Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE throughout the forecast area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
