Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>The mountains around Big Sky and Hyalite Canyon received 4-6” of low-density snow equaling 0.2 to 0.3” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd1314… water equivalent</span></a> (SWE) with 1-3” (0.1-0.2” SWE) elsewhere. During and immediately following last week’s storm, skiers and riders reported avalanches from <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26776"><strong><span>Bradley’s Meadow</span></strong></a> to <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26795"><strong><span>Hyalite Peak</span></strong></a><strong> </strong>to <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26828"><strong><span>Tepee Basin</span></strong></a>. See the entire list of <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><strong><span>avalanche activity and photos</span></strong></a> on the website.</p>
<p>With new snow today, avoid the new drifts deposited by 15-30 mph winds from the northwest in Cooke City. Across the entire advisory area, loose snow avalanches and fresh drifts breaking as slabs are possible today. Watch for signs of instability, remembering that technical terrain amplifies the consequence of even small avalanches, and pull out your shovel to test for instabilities deeper in the snowpack. Alex and I noted generally stable conditions on Sunday in Beehive Basin. <em>However, </em>we recognize that we have limited data on this season’s snowpack and uncertainty warrants continued assessment (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ss_U-Sp6ok&list=PLXu5151nmAvTi1DBS… Basin Video</span></strong></a>).</p>
<p>We are grateful for all the observations that our community is sending in this season. You can read these on the new <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><strong><span>Snow Observations Page</span></strong></a><strong> </strong>and contribute to our understanding of this season’s snowpack by <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><strong><span>submitting your observations</span></strong></a>.</p>
<p>Enjoy the new snow and remember the fundamentals whether you are skiing, hunting, riding or building snow forts: 1) Consider the avalanche potential of your intended terrain. 2) Carry and practice with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe). 3) Assess the snowpack for unstable conditions before going onto steep slopes.</p>
<p><span>If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><strong><span>website</s…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><span>mtavalanche@gmail.com</span…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs). </span></p>
<p><span>On Tuesday, two inches of lightweight snow fell in the mountains around Island Park. Loose snow avalanches and fresh drifts breaking as thin slabs are possible today. Watch for signs of instability remembering that technical terrain amplifies the consequence of even small avalanches and pull out your shovel to test for instabilities deeper in the snowpack before going on to steep slopes.</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.