20-21

Skier remotely triggered avalanche in N. Madisons

Northern Madison
Code
SS-ASr-R3-D2
Aspect Range
S-E
Latitude
45.26150
Longitude
-111.31500
Notes

"Shallow snowpack 24-36” from 6800-9200 ft S and E aspect. Facets on the ground 6-12” deep. Widespread collapsing and cracks all the way on low angle terrain to the top. Big shooting crack across the south facing path from the skin track so expected the east bowl to remotely trigger and it did from 25m away on the ridge. R3D2 slide. Confirms all previous regional reports and the concerns of the day, typical in this specific area early season. Obsessive terrain management is the only way just now."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
r-A remote avalanche released by the indicated trigger
R size
3
D size
2
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

"Big shooting crack across the south facing path from the skin track so expected the east bowl to remotely trigger and it did from 25m away on the ridge. R3D2 slide. Confirms all previous regional reports and the concerns of the day, typical in this specific area early season. Obsessive terrain management is the only way just now." Photo: Anon

Northern Madison, 2021-01-06

Small natural avalanche on Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge
Northern Madison
Code
SS-N
Elevation
8000
Latitude
45.17190
Longitude
-111.38000
Notes
"... a small natural slide in the trees on a steep slope at 8,000 feet. The snow broke down to the sugary ground layer with the added weight of yesterday’s storm. The location is just under Buck Ridge, between Second Yellow Mule & Third Yellow Mule drainages."
 
Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Skier triggered avalanche in Bradley's Meadow

Bradley Meadow
Bridger Range
Code
SS-AS-R1-D1.5
Elevation
8000
Aspect
S
Latitude
45.83220
Longitude
-110.92800
Notes

I was skiing down the apron at Bridger and noticed this slide on Bradley's that appeared to be skier triggered. Picture's were taken at about 2pm. I don't believe this activity was there when I came down the apron earlier in the day around 11:45. I talked to patrol about it and they had not heard anything about it at the time. It appeared both tracks going in, came out. Thanks for all the work you guys do!

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1.5
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

"...a small natural slide in the trees on a steep slope at 8,000 feet. The snow broke down to the sugary ground layer with the added weight of yesterday’s storm.    The location is just under Buck Ridge, between Second Yellow Mule & Third Yellow Mule drainages." Photo B. Ciccotti  
Northern Madison, 2021-01-06

Many natural avalanches seen in backcountry around Big Sky

Northern Madison
Code
SS-N
Notes

"The BC is showing signs of instability all around us-large slides were observed in Lone Lake (basal crust), northerly exposure, out on Cedar in Dirty Bowl, northerly exposure,which slid to ground, and in Beehive Basin."

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Cracking and small natural slides in S. Gallatin

SOUTHERN GALLATIN RANGE
Southern Gallatin
Code
Aspect
W
Latitude
45.04320
Longitude
-110.96200
Notes

"...the snowpack was talkative today. Tons of energetic rolling collapses that shook snow out of the trees 50 feet away, and shot powder up around aspens in a Colorado-esque way. Shooting cracks on low-angle test slopes, and isolated small natural slides on steeper, W-facing terrain."

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

"...the snowpack was talkative today. Tons of energetic rolling collapses that shook snow out of the trees 50 feet away, and shot powder up around aspens in a Colorado-esque way. Shooting cracks on low-angle test slopes, and isolated small natural slides on steeper, W-facing terrain." Photo: D. Pogge

Southern Gallatin, 2021-01-06

Bradley's Meadow

Date
Activity
Skiing

I was skiing down the apron at Bridger and noticed this slide on Bradley's that appeared to be skier triggered. Picture's were taken at about 2pm. I don't believe this activity was there when I came down the apron earlier in the day around 11:45. I talked to patrol about it and they had not heard anything about it at the time. It appeared both tracks going in, came out.

Thanks for all the work you guys do!

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Bradley Meadow
Observer Name
Brian O'Donoghue