22-23 | Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

From Observation: "While driving to work from Ennis on Jack Creek Rd, I observed a natural avalanche occurring on an unnamed peak. Approx location is 45 22' 57"N 111 28' 49"W at approx. 9000'"

Number of slides

Number caught

Number buried

Trigger

Natural trigger

Read more about Natural Avalanche near Jack Creek

Vertical Fall

1000ft

Slab Width

150.00ft

Snow Observation Source

Natural Avalanche Northern Madisons

Slab Thickness units

centimeters

Single / Multiple / Red Flag

Single Avalanche

Advisory Year

22-23

Several natural avalanches in the Crazies

Date

Mon, 01/30/2023 - 16:00

Not sure if this will be useful information, but it was interesting to me. Yesterday (1/30) in the illumination of the low-angle evening sun, I could see at least 4 crowns in the Crazies with a pair of binoculars from downtown Livingston. Mostly W-SW facing slopes above treeline on the group of peaks surrounding and including Iddings Peak. I am used to seeing windscoured W aspects, and had never noticed such conspicuous slides from town. Crowns estimated 2-3 feet deep, and most slides looked to be a couple hundred feet wide beat I could tell. I’m sure todays wind will remodel and transport all remaining evidence to the E side of the range.

Region

Out of Advisory Area

Location (from list)

Crazy Peak

Observer Name

Tim Benson

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Jan 31, 2023

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

West to northwest winds averaging 15-25 mph continue to drift recent snow into thick slabs that are likely to avalanche under the weight of a skier or rider today. Avoid slopes with active wind-loading or signs of recent wind-loading, such as drifts, a stiffening of the snow surface or a hollow, drum-like feel. Avalanches can break within the drifted snow or wider on buried weak layers in the upper three feet of the snowpack or near the ground. Any of these would be dangerous for backcountry travelers.

On non-wind-loaded slopes, the probability of triggering a slide is decreasing without new loading. Riding in Cooke City for the last two days, we described this as a dangerous probability game that led us to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees and lower-angle terrain immediately below (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrCkXhHkPMk">video…;). While obvious signs of instability are less forthcoming than they were during the storm, weak layers buried in the upper three feet of the snowpack continue to demonstrate the potential to fail and propagate (the ingredients for an avalanche). Last week’s snowstorm increased the potential for failures near the ground. Our advice from Cooke City applies to any slope across the advisory area with buried weak layers. Steer clear of avalanche terrain or test your luck. If you choose the latter, be on the slope one at a time and carry rescue gear, understanding that rescue gear will not help the 25% of avalanche victims who die from trauma.

Today, avoid slopes with active or recent wind-loading. Approach any non-wind-loaded slope with skepticism due to buried weak layers. Dig down and carefully assess for instability, carry rescue gear and travel one at a time in avalanche terrain. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded slopes and MODERATE on all others.

Please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"> </a><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs">website</s…;, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).

Read more about GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Jan 31, 2023

KING AND QUEEN OF THE RIDGE, FEBRUARY 4TH

Do you like to hike? Do you like to ski? Then the King & Queen of the Ridge is for you. Hike, ski and raise money for the Friends of the Avalanche Center in their 2nd biggest fundraiser of the year. Join the effort to promote and support avalanche safety and awareness! Fundraising prizes for the top 5 individuals who raise over $500. No racing is necessary to compete for the fundraising prizes.