18-19
Natural Avalanche on Sawtelle Peak
Centennials - Idaho
Island Park
Code
Aspect Range
E-NE
Latitude
44.56090
Longitude
-111.44000
Notes
From an email, "Observed this large avalanche while driving north from Jackson Hole today. (on the E, NE aspect of Sawtell Peak, in the Centennial Mountains)"
Likely released in the last day or so with the Avalanche Warnings on Sun, Mon and Tuesday.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Images
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
From an email, "Observed this large avalanche while driving north from Jackson Hole today. (on the E, NE aspect of Sawtell Peak, in the Centennial Mountains)"
Likely released in the last day or so with the Avalanche Warnings on Sun, Mon and Tuesday. Photo: B. Fredlund
Avalanche Details: Natural Avalanche on Sawtelle Peak
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Feb 7, 2019
Island Park, 2019-02-06
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Feb 7, 2019
Collapsing Cooke City, Pebble Creek
Pebble Creek - YNP
Cooke City
Code
Latitude
45.03890
Longitude
-110.02200
Notes
From an email, "Performed a stability test on a South facing slope, 9400', 190HS, Ectp21, SC 85 cm deep on MFcr rounding facets. We had a very large collapse while in pit and a few others on the climb out. No other signs of instability or avalanches were seen in the Pebble Creek region today."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Collapse, cracking, and avalanche in distance at Bacon Rind
Bacon Rind
Southern Madison
Code
SS-N-R2-D2
Elevation
9600
Aspect
NE
Latitude
44.94280
Longitude
-111.13600
Notes
From an email, "My partner and I skied up bacon rind with plans on skiing the <30 degree run on the east face of Ernest miller ridge. On our way out there we had a large collapse, and saw shooting cracks. We dug a pit at 9,150 ft on a E facing slope and got a ECT P16Q1 about 90 cm down. Before this off in the distance (photo) we saw a massive avalanche in a 35 degree wind loaded NE slope at 9,600. It appeared to be about 1 - 1.5 m deep and 100 ft across."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
A skier headed up Bacon Rind to Ernie Miller Ridge and saw this avalanche in the distance. He reported it, "35 degree wind loaded NE slope at 9,600. It appeared to be about 1 - 1.5 m deep and 100 ft across." Photo: W. Casper
Avalanche Details: Collapse, cracking, and avalanche in distance at Bacon Rind
Southern Madison, 2019-02-06
Collapse south facing slope Taylor Fork
Taylor Fork
Southern Madison
Code
Notes
Large collapse on facets near the ground. The snowpack on this slope was less than 3' deep.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Attached Videos
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Feb 6, 2019
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p>There are two primary questions you need to ask when riding in the backcountry: Am I in avalanche terrain and can the snow slide? Today, avoiding steep slopes will be the best way to stay out of trouble. This includes staying off low angle terrain connected to steeper slopes above.</p>
<p>Why is it important to avoid avalanche terrain today? Because weak layers and wind loaded slopes will be easy to trigger. On Sunday, Ian found an unstable layer of surface hoar 1-1.5’ deep at Bacon Rind (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0I_ZNd8pU&t=0s&index=2&li…;) and snow rangers in the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone found similar conditions on Monday (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/unstable-tests-lionhead">photo</a…;). Yesterday, Doug and I didn’t find surface hoar to be reactive in Taylor Fork, but we did get a large collapse and unstable test results on facets near the ground where the snowpack was thin and weak (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIwKogFUSDY&list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). Large natural avalanches last weekend in Centennial Range are a good example of what’s possible (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/large-avalanche-near-lionhead">ph…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/avalanches-breaking-weak-snowpack…;). </p>
<p>Today, dangerous avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated <strong>CONSIDERABLE</strong>.</p>
<p>The primary avalanche concern in the mountains around Bozeman, Big Sky and Cooke City is wind loaded slopes. Wind drifts 1-2’ thick have the potential to fail under the weight of a skier or rider (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO15cidZK20&t=0s&index=4&li…;). This problem is most prevalent on upper elevation slopes loaded by westerly winds. Be especially aware of this problem when traveling in or around high consequence terrain.</p>
<p>A less likely but more dangerous problem will be avalanches breaking 2-3’ deep on facets near the ground (<u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbvE5YGGJOQ&index=2&list=PLXu51…;). This problem mainly exists on slopes with a thinner-weaker snowpack. Sings of instability such as cracking/collapsing are becoming less likely so digging to assess the snowpack structure is recommended before committing to steep terrain.</p>
<p>Today, human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is rated <strong>MODERATE</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>, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
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BOZEMAN
Tonight! 1-hr Women’s Avalanche Awareness, 6-7p.m. at REI Bozeman.