The 10' deep avalanche in 2nd Yellowmule is almost completely filled in now. In its place are massive cornices overhanging the slope. Give these beasts a lot of extra room as they can break back far from the edge. Photo: GNFAC
Ian Hoyer stands in a snowpit in Beehive Basin. Avalanches are getting harder to trigger, but in more shallow areas we are still finding a poor snowpack structure. The stability test scores are climbing higher, but still propagating and we did not ski the adjacent slope. Photo: GNFAC
<p>In the last two days, 3-8” of snow with 0.3-1.2” <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a> (SWE) fell across the advisory area with more snow coming today. The weight of the new snow is stressing our weak snowpack and warrants extra caution, especially on slopes with fresh drifts (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-wind-slabs-maid-mist"><st…;). The most likely avalanches today are on wind loaded slopes and won’t fail deeper than the new snow. However, it is worth remembering that only four days ago the Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered a massive avalanche that broke deeply on weak layers in the snowpack and last week skiers and riders had close calls when they triggered large avalanches and collapsed slopes (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21746"><strong>details</strong></a><st…;, </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><strong>avalanche activity</strong></a>). While less likely, triggering avalanches that fail deep in the snowpack is a dangerous possibility today.</p>
<p>On recent field days to <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iokOWUdQ3s&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…. Ellis</a></strong>, the <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/taylor-fork-profile-26-jan">Taylor Fork</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga_jC2gkNOk&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf… of Bridger Bowl</a>,</strong> members of the forecast team found weak snowpacks. Yesterday, we had stable results in our snowpits north of Bridger Bowl, but the structure was enough to keep us cautious (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/n-face-texas-meadow-profile-27-ja… 1</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/e-face-texas-meadow-profile-27-ja… 2</strong></a>). My partner and I ran thought experiments by asking each other, “What would you say if suggested skiing steep avalanche terrain today based on our findings.” Our answers varied a bit as we pondered different slopes, but the clear theme was that we don’t trust the snowpack this year, and we prefer maintaining a conservative mindset. That remains my answer even as many people <em>are</em> venturing into avalanche terrain and not triggering slides. Read more about the history of this season’s avalanche activity and snowpack in the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/blog/2019-2020-mid-season-snowpack-summary-… snowpack summary</strong></a> we published last week.</p>
<p>Consider the consequences of the terrain, assess the snowpack, and only expose one person to the hazard at a time if you are considering recreating on or underneath steep slopes today. Because human triggered avalanches are possible, the danger is rated MODERATE. As snow begins to fall later in the day, the avalanche danger will increase. Watch for cracking, collapsing of the snowpack, and avalanche activity as signs of rising instability.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>observat… form</strong></a>, email us (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Next Saturday, February 1, is the King and Queen of the Ridge at Bridger Bowl! Come up and help us raise money by hiking and skiing laps on the ridge. Prizes, camaraderie and a good time are guaranteed. Register with Bridger to hike in the event and create a pledge page to raise funds with your Ridge laps.
