21-22

Ice climbers triggered small avalanches in E. Fork Hyalite

Hyalite - East Fork
Northern Gallatin
Code
SS-AFu-R1-D1-S
Elevation
7600
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.45390
Longitude
-110.92100
Notes

The slide was on the ice climb in Comet Alley.

From email (12/5/21) : "Small avalanche triggered while approaching ice climb in East fork of Hyalite basin. 

Another D1 natural avalanche was observed later in the day similar aspect/elevation

NE @7600’
SS-AFu-D0.5-I"

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Foot penetration
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
New Snow
Slab Thickness
6.0 inches
Images
Ice Climbing Avalanche
Small Avalanche In Hyalite
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
21-22

From email (12/5/21) : "Small avalanche triggered while approaching ice climb in East fork of Hyalite basin. 

Another D1 natural avalanche was observed later in the day similar aspect/elevation

NE @7600’
SS-AFu-D0.5-I"

Photo: A. Schoening

Avalanche Details: Ice climbers triggered small avalanches in E. Fork Hyalite
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 6, 2021
Northern Gallatin, 2021-12-06
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    • Taylor Hilgard

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Went poking around in the Taylor Hilgard today looking for snow. As expected, found a thin and faceted snowpack at lower elevations. Snowpack improved considerably above 8500', often .5-1m.

    I dug a quick pit to the ground on a N-NE facing slope at around 9300'. Pit measuded 1.1m, and to my surprise consisted of a relatively compacted and consolidated snowpack, almost entirely 4f hardness. I was expecting to find layers of facets near the base of the snowpack, and between crusts in the middle, but did not.

    Region
    Southern Madison
    Location (from list)
    Taylor Fork
    Observer Name
    L Heine

    GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Dec 3, 2021

    Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

    <p>The snow that fell on Tuesday was blown into drifts&nbsp;by strong southwest winds. These drifts are the main avalanche hazard today, and most likely exist along ridgelines, below cornices, and on higher elevation slopes where they didn’t melt from the above freezing temperatures. Be cautious of steep, recently wind-loaded slopes which may be tempting to ski or ride because they hold the most snow right now. A few inches of snow on Saturday night with strong wind will create fresh drifts that could be easy to trigger during and immediately after they form.&nbsp;</p>

    <p>Aside from the above described wind slabs, the snowpack is generally stable after the previous three days of warm, dry weather. However, this recent weather has done no favors for the snowpack in regards to snow depth and future stability. Many low elevation and southerly facing slopes have zero or only a few inches of snow. On higher and shadier slopes the snowpack is 10-20” deep and has layers of crusts and weak faceted snow. We have received reports of these weak layers across the advisory area&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/sites/default/files/styles/very_large_1200w… 1</u></strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/21/shallow-snowpack-bridger-range"><stro… 2</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/oF8q1tMQuh8"><strong><u>video</u></strong></a&gt; from Cooke City) and surrounding mountains (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/shallow-snowpack-9200-ft-emigrant… of snowpack on Emigrant</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/faceted-snow-under-wind-board-970… 2</u></strong></a>). This weak snow is important to remember because it will probably cause avalanches when we get our next big storm.... maybe next week.</p>

    <p>We appreciate the observations you have submitted this season. You are helping us develop a more complete understanding of this season’s snowpack! Please submit observations <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>here<…;. THINK SNOW!</p>

    <p>If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share please submit them via our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

    Upcoming Education Opportunities:

    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. Don’t delay preparing and inspecting your avalanche gear. Get some tips from Dave Zinn in this Pre-Season gear check video.

    From obs (12/2/21): "Climbed Emigrant Peak from the Gold Prize trailhead via the NW Ridge. As with the rest of the advisory zones, it is dry in the Absarokas. Snow still remains lower in the trees from past storms and, on the ridge, certain pockets have over two feet of wind blown snow. Yet the ridge itself as well as common ski descents to the NW and SE are both quite rocky. Poked around at about 9750 ft on the leeward side of the NW ridge and found an expected wind slab layer with faceted snow underneath it.


    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Dec 3, 2021
    Out of Advisory Area, 2021-12-03
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