22-23
Remote Triggered Avalanche, Mineral Mountain
From IG: “Wanted to touch base about an avalanche we triggered on the shoulder of Mineral Mountain today. While skinning up there was obvious wind loading coming from the south. I kicked around a bit near the edge of the ridge (no cornice) and remote triggered this slide from 20’ away. It broke 12-18” deep, and propagated 700-800’ wide. Ran full length of the slope into old growth trees 1200’ below. Would estimate R4 D3. We found good stable skiing on the south aspect (~35°)”
From IG: “Wanted to touch base about an avalanche we triggered on the shoulder of Mineral Mountain today. While skinning up there was obvious wind loading coming from the south. I kicked around a bit near the edge of the ridge (no cornice) and remote triggered this slide from 20’ away. It broke 12-18” deep, and propagated 700-800’ wide. Ran full length of the slope into old growth trees 1200’ below. Would estimate R4 D3. We found good stable skiing on the south aspect (~35°)”
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 3, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Apr 4, 2023
Large Whumpf in Beehive Basin
From obs: "Experienced a very large whumpf on the Middle Basin Ridge at Beehive.
We had just finished digging pits in the first large open section of the ridge and one of our skiers was jumping on the snow above the pit when there was a large whumpf. We guessed that the whumpf could have extended out to be about 100 m total(of course this is an estimate), but the point is that it was very large. One other group experienced two separate smaller whumpfs about 200 m away on a different section of the ridge.
The large whumpf occurred at approx. 9020 ft on a west aspect. 2 smaller whumpfs occurred at approx. 9030 ft on south/southwest aspects."
Remote Triggered Avalanche, Mineral Mountain
From IG: “Wanted to touch base about an avalanche we triggered on the shoulder of Mineral Mountain today. While skinning up there was obvious wind loading coming from the south. I kicked around a bit near the edge of the ridge (no cornice) and remote triggered this slide from 20’ away. It broke 12-18” deep, and propagated 700-800’ wide. Ran full length of the slope into old growth trees 1200’ below. Would estimate R4 D3. We found good stable skiing on the south aspect (~35°)”
Large whumpf in Beehive Basin
Experienced a very large whumpf on the Middle Basin Ridge at Beehive.
We had just finished digging pits in the first large open section of the ridge and one of our skiers was jumping on the snow above the pit when there was a large whumpf. We guessed that the whumpf could have extended out to be about 100 m total(of course this is an estimate), but the point is that it was very large. One other group experienced two separate smaller whumpfs about 200 m away on a different section of the ridge.
The large whumpf occurred at approx. 9020 ft on a west aspect. 2 smaller whumpfs occurred at approx. 9030 ft on south/southwest aspects.
We dug a pit to the ground (260cm) on the west wall in Beehive Basin to target observations for the Deep Slab problem. Attached is a SnowPilot graph of the layers, hardness, and grain identification. We performed a PST but did not get any results on the deeper facet layer, possibly due to the column not being fully isolated in the 260cm pit.
Recent Natural Avalanche near Cooke City
From Email:
"Observed a fresh natural avalanche this afternoon on Woody Ridge. The avalanche occurred on a NW aspect, around 9200' (likely last night). I'd estimate the size to be 1-3' deep, and about 100' wide.
No other avalanche activity observed today. (ski tour up Republic Creek this morning, low visibility while I was up there).
No collapsing. Minor cracking of the fresh, dense wind drifts, though they felt quite stubborn.
New snow: about 10", dense/ rimed forms."
Skiers in the Republic Creek drainage saw a fresh natural avalanche on Woody Ridge. The avalanche occurred on a NW aspect, around 9200' (likely last night). Estimated size: 1-3' deep and about 100' wide. Photo: B. Fredlund
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 3, 2023
Skiers in the Republic Creek drainage saw a fresh natural avalanche on Woody Ridge. The avalanche occurred on a NW aspect, around 9200' (likely last night). Estimated size: 1-3' deep and about 100' wide. Photo: B. Fredlund