20-21

Snowmobile triggered slides (2) on Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge
Northern Madison
Code
HS-AMu-R3-D2-O
Elevation
9300
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.17190
Longitude
-111.38000
Notes

We saw two large snowmobile triggered avalanches (and one very large, in separate record) that occurred on January 7, 2021. They broke on weak, sugary snow below hard wind drifted snow and recent new snow.

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowmobile
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
3
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
150ft
Slab Width
100.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Many (6) natural avalanches near Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge
Northern Madison
Code
SS-N-R2-D2-O
Elevation
9500
Aspect Range
E, NE, SE
Latitude
45.17190
Longitude
-111.38000
Notes

We rode on Buck Ridge on January 8th 2021. We saw six recent natural avalanches and three snowmobile triggered slides. Based on 3-4" of snow that fell yesterday morning covering the debris, we estimate the several natural slides ran 24-48 hours ago. They likely broke on January 6 after the area got 8" of snow on the 5th.

Number of slides
6
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
400ft
Slab Width
40.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year