24-25

Natural Avalanche on Arden Peak

Maid of the Mist
Northern Gallatin
Code
N-R2-D2
Elevation
9950
Aspect Range
E-NE
Latitude
45.41060
Longitude
-110.98800
Notes

Observed from Flanders this morning. Presumed recent natural slide around ~9950 ft. on a E/NE aspect. Hard to tell from a distance, but cornice interference and/or wind loading are possible culprits. Poor image quality, but there may be more debris piles along the ridgeline to the south.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Images
Natural wind slab avalanches at Maid of Mist
Natural Arden Slide
Snow Observation Source
Warm at the Maid
Natural Avalanche on Arden Pk.
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
24-25

Wind slab avalanches in Naya Nuki Bowl

Naya Nuki Bowl
Bridger Range
Code
SS-N-R2-D1.5-I
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.88830
Longitude
-110.95900
Notes

From the top of The Throne, we got eyes on two avalanches that occurred naturally during the major wind event yesterday in the bowl south of Naya Nuki. The largest of which was a R2-D1.5 that broke in the new snow in the main part of the bowl. The second avalanche (R1-D1) broke off the ridge near the summit of Naya Nuki and ran 150'. 

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
1.5
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Vertical Fall
300ft
Slab Width
150.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Pleasantly Surprised on The Throne
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
24-25

Pleasantly Surprised on The Throne

Date
Activity
Skiing

Today, we rode up to The Throne for the first time this season. We parked at the motorized boundary and toured up the east face. The road riding was good but there were certainly more dirt patches on the way out, than in, with the warm temps.

We dug two pits on the east face as we ascended. At 7950' we had HS: 78, ECTN13 + 23. At 8140', we got HS: 97, ECTN 30. We toured up the ridge and moved over onto a north aspect. There we got HS: 94, ECTN 30. We observed no cracking or collapsing. Weak layers still exist at the bottom of our snowpack, but we were happy to find that these weak layers in the Bridgers seem to be not quite as weak as in our other zones.

We had good visibility and were able to get eyes on two avalanches that occurred naturally during the major wind event yesterday in the bowl south of Naya Nuki. The largest of which was a R2-D1.5 that broke in the new snow. We also got eyes on a natural avalanche (R2-D2.5) that occurred yesterday on Saddle Peak.  

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
The Throne
Observer Name
H. Darby

Flanders Obs & Test Scores

Date
Activity
Skiing

Toured up Flanders Peak this morning—a beautiful day with clear skies and no/light winds.

During our ascent, we observed widespread wind effects above 8800'. The west-facing ridge of the drainage was scoured of snow, while wind loading was observed on E/SE aspects between 8800' and the summit. 1-5" thick wind slabs were widespread, and were especially of note at lower elevations in the east-facing trees; increasing depth and stiffness as we ascended and on Flanders' E shoulder. Got a few small whumpfs along the E shoulder while ascending, but no other signs of instability on the day. Several small test slopes we traversed along the ridge did not show signs of instability when we tested them.

The power of the winds was emphasized by the scoured west side of the East Ridge of the Main Fork.

We skied the slope in the trees south of the summit and dug a pit on a SE aspect @ 9530'. Skiing quality was low. Snowpit depth was 72cm. Test results were CT11 SP, ECTN8, PST 44/100 (End).

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Flanders Creek
Observer Name
E. Webb
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