22-23

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The snow is starting to pile up and triggering an avalanche is very much a possibility today and through the weekend. Storm totals since Monday are around two feet near West Yellowstone and Cooke City, and around a foot near Bozeman and Big Sky. Strong winds from both the east and west have blown this new snow into deep, cohesive drifts that could avalanche today. Look for and avoid these wind drifts, as they are where you’re most likely to trigger a slide.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Yesterday, a skier triggered an avalanche near the summit of Mt Blackmore that broke 50 ft below him (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/crown-avalanche-remotely-triggere… href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/crown-and-runout-skier-triggered-…; photo</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). It broke 10-18” deep, 150 ft wide and ran 600 vertical ft over cliffs. Thankfully no one was caught. Skiers at Bridger Bowl also got a small pocket to propagate in the new snow around 6” deep (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26743"><span><span><span><strong><span…;).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Take note - avalanche season is here. Travel is becoming easier with 2-4 ft of snow on the ground in many areas. This also means that avalanches can break deeper and wider. Travel in the backcountry like you would any day mid-winter or avoid steep slopes entirely. Avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) and a partner are essential if you’re going into avalanche terrain.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Your observations are more important than ever this time of year as we get to know this season’s snowpack.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron… your Observations</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… the Observations</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a></li>
</ul>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron…;, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>In the mountains near Island Park, snow is starting to pile up and triggering an avalanche is very much a possibility today and through the weekend. Strong winds have blown the new snow into deep, cohesive drifts that could avalanche. Take note - avalanche season is here. Travel in the backcountry like you would any day mid-winter or avoid steep slopes entirely.</p>