Weather and Avalanche Log for Mon Jan 29, 2024
No overnight freeze in the Bridger Range - first of the season
23-24
Thin, warming snowpack in Hyalite
Date
Activity
Skiing
Went for a walk on skis in the low-elevation meadows below Blackmore and Elephant Mountain. Observed roller balls and snow glopping to our skins. Dug on a small NE facing test slope at 7760'. HS 48cm, ECTN12 & CT10 Q3 up 27cm on what looked like an old layer of buried surface hoar. A nice day for a low angle walk.
Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Hyalite - main fork
Observer Name
E. Donahue
Small Avalanche on Test Slope at Lionhead
LIONHEAD AREA
Lionhead Range
Code
SS-AFc-R1-D1-O
Latitude
44.72920
Longitude
-111.32300
Notes
A snowmobiler jumped and did a cannonball onto a very small slope, triggering an equally small avalanche. This was a clear sign that larger avalanches are likely on bigger slopes.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Foot penetration
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Slab Thickness
18.0 inches
Vertical Fall
5ft
Slab Width
15.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Surface Hoar
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Mt. Fox Avalanches
Mt Fox
Cooke City
Code
N-R2-D2-O
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.12120
Longitude
-109.93000
Notes
Skiers on 01/25/2024 observed recent avalanches below Mt. Fox north of Cooke City.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
Avalanche on Bridger Peak
Bridger Peak
Bridger Range
Code
SS-ACc-R2-D2-O
Elevation
8500
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.77010
Longitude
-110.94000
Notes
Skiers triggered an avalanche on Bridger Peak after knocking a cornice off the ridgeline.
From obs: "Knocked off microwave-sized cornice while skinning which fell and triggered the slope below.... Slide seemed to start very slowly and then propagated North (to the left in the pictures) before running down the slide path. "
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Cornice fall triggered by human or explosive action
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
6.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1000ft
Slab Width
75.00ft
Attached Videos
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Skiers triggered an avalanche on Bridger Peak after knocking a cornice off the ridgeline.
From obs: "Slide seemed to start very slowly and then propagated North (to the left in the pictures) before running down the slide path." Photo: Anonymous
Avalanche Details: Avalanche on Bridger Peak
Bridger Range, 2024-01-28
Skiers triggered an avalanche on Bridger Peak after knocking a cornice off the ridgeline.
From obs: "Slide seemed to start very slowly and then propagated North (to the left in the pictures) before running down the slide path." Photo: Anonymous
Avalanche Details: Avalanche on Bridger Peak
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Jan 29, 2024
Bridger Range, 2024-01-28
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Jan 29, 2024
Collapsing and Cracking Telemark Meadows
Telemark Meadows
Southern Madison
Code
Latitude
44.88990
Longitude
-111.06300
Notes
Multiple parties of skiers on 01/28/2024 observed widespread cracking and collapsing in the Telemark Meadow area.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year