23-24

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In the last 36 hours the mountains picked up 2-4” of snow, except Cooke City, which got nothing. Wind has been gusting out of the east and blew this new snow into drifts at all elevations. Snowfall amounts are still elevation dependent with dirt or sparse coverage in the valleys and 10-20+” near the ridgelines. This recent storm will make drifts which are our primary avalanche concern. These whales of snow, typically found in gullies, could be triggered by a skier, ice climber or hunter. A skier-triggered avalanche on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29284"><span><span><span><span><span><…. Blackmore</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> 12 days ago reminds us how a wind pillow can sometimes release a wider slide. Wind-loading will keep these gullies and pillows avalanche-prone. Cracks shooting out in front of your feet or skis are a warning to not go further.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Early season avalanches are serious because there is a high risk of getting physically beat up on rocks, as well as being buried. Everyone traveling in avalanche terrain needs a sturdy shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver. Only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain so there is always a rescuer in case someone is buried.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>Our crystal ball says</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>: The snowpack at higher elevations will become weaker. Thin snow cover and cold air change snowflakes into weak crystals of angular facets. These grains feel and look like sugar. Once these facets get overburdened with new snow, they become unstable and can release large and deep avalanches later in the season.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you venture out, please fill an </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><stron… form</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. It does not need to be technical. Did you see any avalanches? How much snow is on the ground? Was the wind moving snow? Simple observations are incredibly valuable. You can also contact us via email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In the last 36 hours the mountains picked up 2-4” of snow, except Cooke City, which got nothing. Wind has been gusting out of the east and blew this new snow into drifts at all elevations, our primary avalanche concern. These whales of snow, typically found in gullies, could be triggered by a skier, ice climber or hunter. Cracks shooting out in front of your feet or skis are a warning to not go further.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On November 15, Ian saw evidence that the 20” of snow at 8,800’ is weakening at our Sawtelle Weather Station. This will be the foundation of this season’s snowpack (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/node/29287"><span><span><span><strong><span><u>… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There is enough snow on the ground to avalanche in specific areas, namely high elevation gullies. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>Skiers</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> will have to walk far to get into these areas and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>snowmobilers</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are still a big storm or two away from firing up their sleds. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>Hunters and ice climbers</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>, on the other hand, are the most exposed. Even a little wind could load gullies with pillows of snow that could avalanche. While technically small, these are the types of avalanches that can kill. Many gullies lead to cliffs, and the debris, because it’s confined, can quickly get deep. If you cross a gully, avoid the smooth whales of snow that the wind piled up like a sand dune, and only cross one at a time. The most snow that fell last night (4”) occurred up Hyalite which happens to be where the ice climbs are.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Early season snow is the foundation of our winter snowpack. As a general rule, thin snow cover (less than 2 feet) and below freezing temperatures change the snow into weak grains of sugary, faceted crystals. These may be underneath the new windblown snow and could avalanche. Seeing cracks shoot out in front of your feet are a warning to not go further.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><u><span><span>General Public Service Announcement</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>: Carry rescue gear and know how to use it if you are heading onto steep, snow covered slopes. A sturdy shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver for everyone in the party is a minimum. And only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain because there’s no sense in everyone getting caught.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Drop us a line and let us know what you find. It does not need to be technical. Did you se ant avalanches? How much snow is on the ground? Was the wind blowing and moving snow? Simple observations are incredibly valuable. If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="blank"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>There is enough snow on the ground to avalanche in specific areas, namely high elevation gullies. Skiers will have to walk far to get into these areas and snowmobilers are still a big storm or two away from firing up their sleds. Hunters and ice climbers, on the other hand, are the most exposed. Even a little wind could load gullies with pillows of snow that could avalanche. While technically small, these are the types of avalanches that can kill.</p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>A week ago, Ian saw evidence that the 20” of snow at 8800’ is weakening at our Sawtelle Weather Station. This will be the foundation of this season’s snowpack (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/node/29287"><span><span><span><strong><span><u>… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>