18-19

<p>The snowpack is generally stable and avalanche activity is confined to recent snowfall, which includes 3-6” that fell on Friday and a couple inches last night. Today cool temperatures and cloudy skies will prevent wet snow avalanche activity. Yesterday I toured in Hyalite and Doug went to Bacon Rind. We both found a thick, supportable frozen crust on sunny slopes, and well-bonded dry snow on shady slopes (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBQp2prXUzk&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). Both surfaces remained cold and stable through the day. Throughout the advisory area we have found a similarly stable snowpack (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f8al-UsP3s&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/avalanches-confined-new-snow">pho…;, <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2O8fG8U4g&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;

<p>Isolated avalanche hazards exist and small slides can be triggered if you travel into steep terrain. On slopes that receive direct sun the crust near the surface creates a stable snowpack, and potential avalanches are limited to the couple inches of new snow from last night sliding on this crust. On slopes that don’t receive sunshine be cautious of wind-drifted snow near ridgelines and below cliffs (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/snowmobile-triggered-slab-norther…;), and dry loose snow avalanches&nbsp;(<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/new-snow-instability-blackmore">p…;). Today avalanches will be small and generally harmless unless they push you into unfavorable terrain like cliffs or rocks. Assess terrain you plan to ride for consequences of being caught in even a small slide.</p>

<p>Today the snowpack is generally stable and isolated instabilities are confined to recent snow. Avalanche danger is <strong>LOW</strong>.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>The 3-6” of new snow that fell on Friday creates isolated avalanche hazards today, and avalanches sliding deeper than the new snow are unlikely (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f8al-UsP3s&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/avalanches-confined-new-snow">pho…;). Yesterday in Hyalite and the Bridger Range skiers triggered wet and dry loose snow avalanches (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/new-snow-instability-blackmore">p…;). In the northern Bridger Range a snowmobiler triggered a small wind slab on a north facing slope (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/snowmobile-triggered-slab-norther…;). Today be alert for similar types of slides where the snow surface is dry, such as high elevation north and east facing slopes. These slides are likely not large enough to bury a person, but have high consequences if they push you over rocks, cliffs or into trees. Assess terrain you plan to ride for consequences of being caught in even a small slide.</p>

<p>On slopes that receive direct sun there is a frozen crust this morning, which makes avalanches unlikely. When this crust melts small wet loose slides are possible. I expect relatively cool temperatures today to minimize wet snow avalanche activity, but if you travel in steep terrain monitor the snow surface to assess wet snow avalanche potential. Watch <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2O8fG8U4g&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…’s video from Beehive yesterday</a></strong> where he saw the new snow quickly become wet and cohesive. Today if the crust on the surface melts and you see roller-balls and pinwheels of snow, find slopes with colder dry snow or lower angle terrain (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/changes-aspect-saddle-peak">photo…;). If you see these signs also be cautious of steep, rocky terrain above you where natural loose snow slides could start (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/small-natural-point-release-slide…;), and minimize time on slopes below large cornices (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/large-cornice-near-cooke-city">ph…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/cornice-fall-debris">photo</a></s…;).</p>

<p>Today the snowpack is generally stable, isolated instabilities are confined to the upper 3-6” of the snowpack, and avalanche danger is <strong>LOW</strong>.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>