23-24
More of the Same
Date
Activity
Snowmobiling
We rode into Taylor Fork towards Carrot Basin today. What we found was a snowpack that was mostly top-to-bottom facets, similar to what we are seeing in the rest of the advisory area. If we stepped off our sleds we would sink through the entire snowpack in any areas with undisturbed snow. We wallowed out to the wilderness boundary and dug on a SW-facing slope at 8800'. The structure of the snowpack was quite poor and we saw ECTX results as there is no slab above this weak snow, as snow returns this weekend into next week that will likely change. Overall the structure in Taylor Fork is very poor, while there may be isolated areas where a slab above weak snow exists, we did not find that setup during our ride today.
Region
Southern Madison
Location (from list)
Taylor Fork
Observer Name
Zach Peterson
Whumpfing and small ava in Cooke City
COOKE CITY
Cooke City
Code
C-NC
Latitude
45.02020
Longitude
-109.93800
Notes
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Cornice fall
Trigger
Cornice fall
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Whumpfing and small ava in Cooke City
Date
Activity
Skiing
Still getting collapsing/ whumphing of the snowpack in isolated areas around Cooke City.
We experienced about 4 good collapses on Monday north of town (with approximate diameters about 25-30').
And noted where a natural cornice fall had triggered a small slab avalanche about 30' wide.
Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
COOKE CITY
Observer Name
Beau Fredlund
Whumpfs north of Buck Ridge
Date
Activity
Skiing
I was skinning (north of Buck Ridge, east of first yellow mule) on relatively flat terrain up to where I often ski and unexpectedly encountered 4 whumfs. About 10 inches into the snow pack I could feel a slab with my pole that was only a few inches from the ground. I went home.
Region
Northern Madison
Location (from list)
Buck Ridge
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Jan 3, 2024
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>This season has been unusually dry, with precipitation only 50-60% of normal. Consequently the snowpack is only 2 feet deep and unusually weak. In most areas the entire snowpack has turned into sugary, unsupportable snow. Breaking trail feels like powder, but it’s not, just unbonded facets. Although this type of snow grain is weak, it is not currently unstable. That will change </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>very</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> quickly when it snows. The snowpack will struggle to support even the lightest load, so be forewarned…as hungry as we are for powder the avalanche danger will rise, just not today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Throughout our forecast area we have weak yet stable conditions. The exceptions are small slopes that have a slab of denser snow capping it, such as a wind drift. These have the potential to avalanche. Alex describes this recipe in his </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/YvrdF4FpETs"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…; from Cooke City, while Dave and I found nothing but thin, weak snow (and lots of downed trees) in our tour up Bacon Rind yesterday (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/DXw5Dvhntgc"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>As you ski or ride, if the surface snow becomes supportable you will have found the missing ingredient of an avalanche, a slab of cohesive snow. Dave describes these conditions in his </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/gJP7UA8qVqc"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…; from Beehive Basin on Monday. Although avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For today, throughout our forecast area, the avalanche danger is rated LOW. </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.
Doug Chabot (expert sage brush forecaster) reported that the sagebrush danger is rated HIGH in the meadows below Bacon Rind. The danger of downed trees blocking the skin track is CONSIDERABLE at low elevations; cautious route-finding is essential :-). Photo: GNFAC
Doug scoops up the feathers of surface hoar crystals at Bacon Rind. Photo: GNFAC