Skiers at Targhee Pass near West Yellowstone reported: "We got a few good collapses while skinning up through east-facing low angle meadows, and got some serious cracking and collapsing while stomping on fresh wind pillows just below ridgeline on a northeast-facing slope at about 8200'. We dug down at one of the cracks and found a 35cm thick F+ slab that had failed on a layer of 4-6mm depth hoar. Cracks propagated close to 100'..." Photo: A. Schauer
19-20
From Obs: "Out poking around the Northern Bridgers today and found some really terrible structure... We dug a couple of pits and both exhibited terrible structure with pronounced facet layers between the most recent pair of melt-freeze and rain crusts.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 9, 2019
Many natural avalanches on Buck Ridge
Riders reported multiple natural slab avalanches on N facing slopes.
Riders reported multiple natural slab avalanches on N facing slopes. Photo: R. Rustigian
Riders reported multiple natural slab avalanches on N facing slopes. Note widespread crowns along slope in background. Photo: R. Rustigian
A snowmobiler triggered an avalanche (yellow pin) north of Crown Butte (the gray mountain at the top of the image). This zone is typically approached from Lulu Pass. His sled was partially buried, but the rider was not. Lots of new snow in the last 24 hours created a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 9, 2019
This natural avalanche on the northeast side of Crown Butte near Daisy Pass (Cooke City) almost caught people below. Approximately 2 feet of snow has fallen with wind and the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE. Photo: B. Whittle
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 9, 2019