GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 26, 2022
<p>You can trigger a large avalanche today on weak layers buried around 2 feet deep. Yesterday, Alex visited the large avalanche on Mount Abundance that was triggered by a snowmobiler on Monday (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHkbEAf1rlM&list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25941"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;). He dug nearby and got unstable results in his snowpack tests, showing that conditions are still ripe for triggering a similar slide. Each day without new snow makes it more difficult to trigger these slides, but it is still very much a possibility. Stack the odds in your favor by digging down to look for and test the weak layer before riding steep slopes, carrying avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe), and only exposing one person to avalanche terrain at a time. Large avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>
<p>While conditions are generally stable, there are a number of small and/or isolated avalanche hazards to watch for. Be on the lookout for thin fresh wind drifts or older drifts that haven’t bonded. Cracks shooting out in front of you are a clear sign you’ve found one of these unstable drifts and should stop to assess before getting onto steep slopes. These wind drifts will be most problematic in the isolated spots where they have formed slabs above weak layers buried 6-18” deep. Skiers on Blaze Mountain yesterday found this combination and triggered several thin avalanches in wind pillows below rocks (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/fresh-wind-slab-near-summit-blaze…;). Snowmobilers in Teepee Basin also triggered two slides that broke a bit deeper (around 18”) on the same weak layer under a crust (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/snowmobile-triggered-slides-teepe…;). These avalanches are good reminders to stay diligent about safe travel practices during LOW danger. Skiers in the northern Bridger Range yesterday also noted substantial loose snow sloughing that is worth watching for to avoid getting knocked off your feet, over a cliff, or into trees. Despite a long list of concerns, the avalanche danger is LOW today because large avalanches are unlikely.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Upcoming Education Opportunities
See our education calendar for an up-to-date list of all local classes. Here are a few select upcoming events.
March 4, Companion Rescue Clinic with the Bozeman Splitfest. Information and registration HERE.
2 snowmobile triggered slides in Tepee
Snowmobile triggered slides in Teepee Basin on 2/25/22.
From obs on 2/25/22: "18 inches of new snow from last week slid on top of crust layer. The slide on the left was triggered by an uphill snowmobile hill climber, the slide on the right occurred when snowmobile turned out of a hill climb and his track broke through the crust layer causing everything with in his up and downhill track to slide."
From obs on 2/25/22: "18 inches of new snow from last week slid on top of crust layer. The slide on the left was triggered by an uphill snowmobile hill climber, the slide on the right occurred when snowmobile turned out of a hill climb and his track broke through the crust layer causing everything with in his up and downhill track to slide."
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 26, 2022
Thin wind slab on Blaze Mtn.
Small skier triggered slides on Blaze Mountain.
From obs on 2/25/22: "I did get a couple new wind pillows to break and move somewhat forcefully while walking near the summit of Blaze, in an area with a very shallow snowpack. These were sitting on top of some large, old facets, and while they were relatively small, they definitely could have knocked me down in more consequential terrain."
From obs on 2/25/22: "I did get a couple new wind pillows to break and move somewhat forcefully while walking near the summit of Blaze, in an area with a very shallow snowpack. These were sitting on top of some large, old facets, and while they were relatively small, they definitely could have knocked me down in more consequential terrain."
Photo: S. Reinsel
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 26, 2022
This avalanche was triggered Monday 2/21/22 by a snowmobiler (they were not caught or harmed). It is on the south face of Mt. Abundance near Cooke City. Photo: GNFAC, 2/25/22
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 26, 2022
Crown of an avalanche that was triggered Monday 2/21/22 by a snowmobiler. It is on the south face of Mt. Abundance near Cooke City. Photo: GNFAC, 2/25/22
Blaze Mountain obs
I did a loop out to Blaze Mountain via Beehive today, and don’t have a whole lot to report. I observed a few small, old sloughs and an east-facing cornice that failed lower down in Beehive, but none of them produced much. There is a noticeable wind crust at the surface in most places, which made the ski conditions humbling.
I did get a couple new wind pillows to break and move somewhat forcefully while walking near the summit of Blaze, in an area with a very shallow snowpack. These were sitting on top of some large, old facets, and while they were relatively small, they definitely could have knocked me down in more consequential terrain.