23-24

Remote Trigger in Mill Creek, Absaroka Range

Out of Advisory Area
Code
HS-ASr-R1-D2-O
Elevation
9200
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.32150
Longitude
-110.57500
Notes

Skiers in Mill Creek triggered an avalanche from 20' away from low-angle terrain. 

 

From obs: "We were ascending a low angle shoulder when a NE facing slope around 20ft away went. Crown was around 2ft deep on both sides and around 4ft at the deepest. It broke on the layer of December facts with a pencil hard slab around 1ft-2ft thick. Above the older slab was new snow about 1ft deep in non wind loaded areas, and around 2ft deep in wind loaded areas. It ran about 300ft and was 50ft wide. "

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
r-A remote avalanche released by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
36.0 inches
Slab Width
300.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Avalanche on Saddle Peak

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
L-N-R1-D1-S
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes

From obs: "Witnessed a natural slide/sluff today day off the top of 1/4 Saddle around 3:30 pm from the Bitterend. Visibility was poor could not see the starting point. The slide produced a large dust cloud running down the right side of the Football field, which would could have taken a person for a ride. The slide ran over the cliffs skiers left of Lundy's Luge. The debris covered all the tracks the from the high traverse across the Cueball. Probably would not have buried a person, but certainly would have rocked your world." 

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
Loose Dry
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Whumpfing and Cracking, Specimen Creek

Specimen Creek
Southern Gallatin
Code
Latitude
45.02650
Longitude
-111.04800
Notes

From obs: "Whumphing, collapsing and shooting cracks on all aspects, at all elevations. The longest shooting crack went over 100' long, shot right out in front of me on a 24deg E aspect slope. Propagating collapses out to 40 feet or so, very thin overall snowpack."

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

Whumphing, collapsing, shooting cracks - oh my!

Date
Activity
Skiing

Whumphing, collapsing and shooting cracks on all aspects, at all elevations. The longest shooting crack went over 100' long, shot right out in front of me on a 24deg E aspect slope. Propagating collapses out to 40 feet or so, very thin overall snowpack. Moderately nice turns on low angle slopes above 7300 but had to be very careful not to bottom out.

From my high point, it looked like the entirety of the large avalanche path on Ernie Miller Ridge E face slid recently, obvious crown on lookers L side and appeared to go wall to wall for the path (R4+). Unknown if natural.  

Very obviously terrible snowpack, it's total garbage out there. 

Region
Southern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Specimen Creek
Observer Name
G. Stevens

Avalanche

Date
Activity
Skiing

Witnessed a natural slide/sluff today day off the top of 1/4 Saddle around 3:30 pm from the Bitterend. Visibility was poor could not see the starting point. The slide produced a large dust cloud running down the right side of the Football field, which would could have taken a person for a ride. The slide ran over the cliffs skiers left of Lundy's Luge. The debris covered all the tracks the from the high traverse across the Cueball. Probably wound not have buried a person, but certainly would have rocked your world. Strong winds on the ridge were loading lee slopes, forming wind slabs right off the ridge line. Would expect more natural activity tonight, and human triggered tomorrow if someone wants to poke the bear.

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Saddle Peak
Observer Name
Bryon

Remote trigger in the absorkas

Date
Activity
Skiing

Toured out of mill creek today, at around 9200 feet we remote triggered a slide. 
HS-ASr-R1-D2-O

We were ascending a low angle shoulder when a NE facing slope around 20ft away went. Crown was around 2ft deep on both sides and around 4ft at the deepest. It broke on the layer of December facts with a pencil hard slab around 1ft-2ft thick. Above the older slab was new snow about 1ft deep in non wind loaded areas, and around 2ft deep in wind loaded areas. It ran about 300ft and was 50ft wide. 

Region
Out of Advisory Area
Observer Name
Jay Alford

Collapsing and a Very Small Avalanche, Beehive Basin

Beehive Basin
Northern Madison
Code
ASr
Latitude
45.35120
Longitude
-111.39900
Notes

Skiers in Beehive Basin noted multiple collapses while touring and remotely triggered a very small avalanche from below. 

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
r-A remote avalanche released by the indicated trigger
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year

Natural-looking avalanches on north side of Sheep Mtn

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

We spotted these fairly fresh looking avalanches all side by side with no apparent tracks leading into them. Likely either natural or remote triggered earlier in the day or overnight.

Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
Sheep Mountain
Observer Name
Liz Welles