Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>Large avalanches breaking deep in the snowpack on persistent weak layers and wet, loose snow avalanches are possible in the mountains across the advisory area.</p>
<p>The likelihood of triggering an avalanche deep in the snowpack on persistent weak layers has decreased over the last week, but the consequences remain as severe as before. Ask the rider in the Taylor Fork who escaped a slide that broke 2-4 feet deep on Sunday and the skier who, less than 30 miles outside the advisory area, remotely triggered a large avalanche that snapped trees like pick-up sticks on Friday if they remain possible. You will hear a resounding yes (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31479"><strong><span>Taylor Fork photo and details</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31460"><strong><span>Lawnmower details and photos</span></strong></a>). A few days of melt-freeze cycles have not fundamentally changed the structure of the snowpack. Yesterday, a skier in Beehive Basin triggered a collapse on a small, low-angle slope with a frozen melt-freeze crust that shifted a few inches downhill (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31493"><strong><span>observation</span…;). Currently, accurately assessing the likelihood of a slide on the slope scale is difficult to impossible so careful terrain evaluation is our best tool. Add certainty to your day by avoiding slopes over 30 degrees (<a href="https://youtu.be/__KumkBkUJ4"><strong><span>Cooke City video</span></strong></a>). Lower-angle avalanche terrain and slopes with clean runouts and without terrain traps are the best options if you choose to play the odds. Follow safe travel practices, including traveling one at a time while a partner remains in position for rescue.</p>
<p>The danger of wet snow avalanches will increase throughout the day as high temperatures reach the 40s and 50s F. Alex described from the Taylor Fork how a frozen melt-freeze crust is indicative of wet snow <em>stability</em> and a snow surface with more than a few inches of wet slushy snow indicates wet snow <em>instability</em> (<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/yt6kIzWXpRc"><strong><span>video</span></str…;). Get off any steep terrain before the surface snow becomes unstable, and remember this process will happen faster in lower elevations, so ensure safe egress options. With a solid overnight freeze, these avalanches should remain relatively small, but they can pack a punch (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/wet-loose-snow-avalanche-crown-bu… Butte wet snow avalanche</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/__KumkBkUJ4"><strong><span>Cooke City video</span></strong></a>).</p>
<p>The avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>
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