Trip Planning for Northern Madison

We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

Saw this cool illustration of wind deposition, scouring and unaffected snow on a ridge line near the top of Bear Creek at the far end of Buck Ridge. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

Photo: M R

The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

Jan 24, Buck Ridge... We dug on an E facing slope at 9,400'. Snow depth was 155cm (5 feet) and we had an ECTN12 on the surface hoar layer 10" down. Photo GNFAC

Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker

On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.

The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School. 

The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

Triggered slide in Beaver Creek 1 Jan 2024

Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

Small avalanche NE aspect near top of beaver. D1 natural trigger wind slab. Only observed avalanche from groomer trail. Photo: Z Bailey

It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

Small slide in terrain trap. Looks to be old, likely from before the wind event that occurred mid last week. A snowmobile track leads into it with wind-drifted snow covering the track. Photo: L Welles

 We triggered a 12" soft wind slab on a NE facing slope at 9,5k'. Photo: J Gerardi

Photo: J Aid

Middle Basin ECT

Middle Basin Snowpit

Tyler's snowpit 

Small natural windslab along Beehive Ridgeline around noon on 12/18. It broke up to around a foot deep, 20 ft wide, and ran about 15 vertical feet. Photo: GNFAC.

Plumes of drifting snow in the Bridger Range as strong winds blasted the mountains. Photo: GNFAC

Snowmobilers triggered a small avalanche in Slats Canyon at Buck Ridge on Sunday. Photo: anonymous

A natural storm slab avalanche in 3rd Yellowmule (~100 ft wide and ran ~200 vertical ft). Broke either 12/16 or early morning 12/17. Photo taken 12/17/24. Photo: GNFAC

A natural storm slab avalanche on the far (southwest) side of Buck Creek - broke 2-300 ft wide and ran ~500 vertical feet. Photo taken 12/17/24. Photo: GNFAC

Looking down the gully at part of the remotely triggered avalanche in Bear Creek. Triggered on 12/17/24. Photo: GNFAC