23-24
Widely Propagating Remote Trigger at Buck Ridge
Widely propagating remote trigger in Beaver Creek, along Buck Ridge.
From IG: “…, probably propagated a mile long, on a layer of advanced facets 30cm below a wind slab… We dug a pit yesterday and got a ct4, ectp9, pst 25/100 on the same layer.”
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Jan 19, 2024
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Avalanche Warning in Cooke City continues and triggering avalanches is very likely. Yesterday, my partner and I remotely triggered a slide from hundreds of feet away while ascending a lower angled, forested, slope and it propagated up to 800 ft (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74rb5HCvbsE"><span><span><span><strong>…;). We also saw at least a dozen avalanches that had broken naturally the night before, on every aspect we got a good view of (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30013"><span><span><span><strong><span… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). These slides are breaking on exceptionally weak layers of surface hoar and facets that will not stabilize quickly. Expect to trigger avalanches if you get on, or even near, any slope steeper than 30 degrees. Even avoid traveling underneath these slopes (runout zones) since they can be triggered from below. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is HIGH on all slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Human triggered slides are likely today. A number of widely propagating remote triggers yesterday demonstrate that dangerous conditions exist. This last storm didn’t put a huge load on the snowpack, but it was clearly enough to push it to its breaking point, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Riders on Buck Ridge triggered a series of slides that propagated out more than half a mile (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch/IoM5zbOF5E4"><span><span><span><strong><s…;). Remotely triggered slides were also reported near </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30037"><span><span><span><span><span><…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30046"><span><span><span><span><span><… Fork</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, and in </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30026"><span><span><span><span><span><…;. These slides are being triggered from hundreds of feet away and breaking 1-3 ft deep. A small natural below treeline that broke during the day yesterday was also reported near Big Sky. Strong winds built cohesive slabs over the widespread, very weak, weak layers. Don’t mess around with this weak, unstable snowpack. Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees. With the likelihood of triggering these slides from below also give steep slopes a wide berth if you’re passing beneath them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
Weather and Avalanche Log for Fri Jan 19, 2024
AVALANCHE WARNING: Cooke City
Remotely Triggered and Natural Slides in Taylor Fork
From obs: "Natural & remote trigger avalanches observed on most steep terrain" in the Taylor Fork on 1/18/24.
Natural & remote trigger avalanches observed on most steep terrain. Photo: J. Kinnison. Photo taken 1/18/24
Natural & remote trigger avalanches observed on most steep terrain. Photo: J. Kinnison. Photo taken 1/18/24
Avalanches on Crown Butte that broke overnight 1/17 or early morning 1/18. Photo: B. Fredlund
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Jan 19, 2024GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Jan 20, 2024
Avalanche crown on Miller Ridge that broke overnight 1/17 or early morning 1/18. Photo: B. Fredlund
Avalanche crown on Miller Ridge that broke overnight 1/17 or early morning 1/18. Photo: B. Fredlund