21-22

Avalanche north of Bridger, Peter's point

Bradley Meadow
Bridger Range
Code
SS
Elevation
8000
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.83220
Longitude
-110.92800
Notes

While skinning towards the ramp we witnessed what looked like a natural slide that started right around Pete’s Pinnacle which ran down along the boundary line about 1000 feet. Unknown trigger.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

From obs 1/1/22: "While skinning towards the ramp we witnessed what looked like a natural slide that started right around Pete’s Pinnacle which ran down along the boundary line about 1000 feet. Unknown trigger."

Bridger Range, 2022-01-01

Small skier triggered soft slabs, Saddle Peak

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
SS-ASc-R1-D1-S
Elevation
8000
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes

We were able to easily trigger small fresh drifts of snow on 1/1/22 as they formed from strong west wind.

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness
3.0 inches
Slab Width
5.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Natural wind slabs on Saddle Peak

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
N-R2-D2
Elevation
8800
Aspect Range
NE-SE
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes

On 1/1/2022 we saw two recent natural wind slabs in addition to the two that were reported yesterday. One was on the north summit of Saddle Peak and the other was on the north side of Argentina Bowl. - GNFAC

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Beehive Basin

Date
Activity
Snowboarding

Toured into Beehive Basin from Beehive Basin Trailhead. We got to the trailhead at around 8:00am or so and it was -18 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to strong winds the past week coming from W/SW our objective was to ride the west facing chutes coming down from the ridge that runs between Beehive Basin and Middle Basin. The negative degree temps were constant throughout the day, even when the sun came out. There were completely clear skies and very little wind, only a slight breeze coming from the west. We saw no signs of avalanches or instability at any point during the day. Some spots off to the side of the chutes and higher up in the chutes were thin. We hit rocks while skinning up and some spots had light snow on top of a crust that made skinning somewhat difficult in these spots. We dug a snow pit near the bottom of one of the chutes to test the layer of facets that is near the ground. The snow depth was 75cm and we got CTH26 PC 20cm from the ground on the layer of facets and ECTX. Having not gotten any concerning results on the layer of facets we felt confident in the stability of the relatively steep chutes and enjoyed a few fun laps riding great snow in the center of the chutes.

Region
Northern Madison
Location (from list)
Beehive Basin
Observer Name
Connor Culver

We saw this natural avalanche on the north summit of Saddle Peak on 1/1/2022. It is one of at least 4 natural avalanches that broke on wind-loaded slopes on Saddle Peak in the past 3-4 days. Recent snow and wind formed slabs over weak facets which makes large avalanches possible to trigger. Photo: BBSP

Bridger Range, 2022-01-01