23-24

Whumpfs in Flanders

Date
Activity
Skiing

Skied the whitebark glade on Flanders and got several whumpfs at the mid and upper elevations. Light overnight and continued wind loading. There was a recent avalanche that appeared to be a wind slab with decent propogation on a north facing rocky slope. Visibility was too poor to get a good look or photo. 

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Flanders Creek
Observer Name
Florence Miller

Whumpfing on Little Ellis

Mt Ellis
Northern Gallatin
Code
Elevation
7000
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.60190
Longitude
-110.96500
Notes

From obs: "Got a whumph descending the ridge from little Ellis on the ENE facing slope just below the ridge around 7000'."

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year

Collapsing, Cracking and Very Small Sloughs, Bridger

The Throne
Bridger Range
Code
Latitude
45.88220
Longitude
-110.95200
Notes

On a wind-loaded slope skiers experienced a large collapse and saw shooting cracks above and below them. They also easily triggered small loose snow avalanches in the new snow. 

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year

Whumph on Little Ellis

Date
Activity
Skiing

Got a whumph descending the ridge from little Ellis on the ENE facing slope just below the ridge around 7000'.

Saw some small cornices but snow was soft below the ridge. Hopped on the flat ridge top adjacent to a wind lip and got no result.

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Mt Ellis

Continuous Collapsing at Bacon Rind

Bacon Rind
Southern Madison
Code
Latitude
44.96090
Longitude
-111.10000
Notes

From obs: "We got the same feedback that Dave and Doug did on 2/5/24 - collapsing every time we stepped out of the skin track or turned with any force, as well as a few sizable collapses triggered from inside the skin track. Very touchy, skied very well. Stayed well away from avy terrain."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Avalanche of Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge
Northern Madison
Code
SS-N-R2-D2-O
Latitude
45.17630
Longitude
-111.33100
Notes

Riders on 02/10/2024 observed an avalanche that appeared to be natural. This avalanche likely happened a day or two prior to being observed. 

Number of slides
1
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
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Shooting Cracks and Instability, Buck Ridge

Buck Ridge
Northern Madison
Code
Latitude
45.17630
Longitude
-111.33100
Notes

From obs: "When riding on test slopes with similar conditions we saw shooting cracks all around the sled.  We broke a couple slabs on hills around 25degs right at the crest of the hill but only the crest broke or showed signs of instability."

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year

Continuous Collapsing at Bacon Rind

Date
Activity
Skiing

We got the same feedback that Dave and Doug did on 2/5/24 - collapsing every time we stepped out of the skin track or turned with any force, as well as a few sizable collapses triggered from inside the skin track. Very touchy, skied very well. Stayed well away from avy terrain.

Region
Northern Madison
Location (from list)
Bacon Rind
Observer Name
Mike Zenker