23-24

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Oct 27, 2023

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

There is enough new snow for the ambitious few to head out for some early season turns, and for everyone else the snow is a reminder to tune up sleds and skis, check avalanche rescue gear for damage, and put fresh batteries in our beacon. If you are planning to travel in the snowy mountains this weekend, whether skiing, ice-climbing or hunting, before crossing steep slopes consider the potential for avalanches. Be especially cautious of slopes that have fresh drifts of snow and slopes with old layers of snow underneath the new snow.

The first avalanches of the season occurred last week (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/avalanche-mt-blackmore-hyalite"><…. Blackmore</a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/avalanche-pine-creek"><span… Creek</a>), and more will probably occur this weekend with the new snow. Avalanches have injured and killed people in past early seasons (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accidents?page=3"><strong… reports</a>). If you plan to travel in the backcountry, prepare for avalanches like you would mid-winter:

<ul>
<li>Carry a beacon, shovel and <a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/probe"><s… a minimum. Helmets are a necessity as well. </li>
<li>Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain (all snow covered slopes steeper than 30 degrees).</li>
<li>Avoid steep slopes with fresh drifts of snow, especially where a slide could push you into rocks, trees or pile up deep in a confined gully.</li>
<li>Cracking and collapsing of the snow are bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable, and clear signs to avoid steep slopes.</li>
<li>As the snow piles up it is a good idea to dig to see the layers below the recent snow. Avoid steep slopes if you find weak, sugary snow underneath new snow or drifted snow.</li>
<li>Consider refreshing your avalanche skills with a class or two this season. See our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/workshops/calendar"><stro… calendar</a> for a list of all local classes.</li>
</ul>

We will share observations through social media and issue snowpack and weather updates when necessary. If you get out in the mountains please share your avalanche, snowpack and weather observations which greatly help us understand what is going on out there. Please submit observations via our <a href="blank">website</a>, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).

Read more about GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Oct 27, 2023

Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events

Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.

Weather and Avalanche Log for Fri Oct 27, 2023

Read more about Weather and Avalanche Log for Fri Oct 27, 2023

@0600

Weather and Avalanche Log for Thu Oct 26, 2023

Read more about Weather and Avalanche Log for Thu Oct 26, 2023

24 hr SWE/snow totals @0600

Weather and Avalanche Log for Wed Oct 25, 2023

Read more about Weather and Avalanche Log for Wed Oct 25, 2023

24 hr SWE/snow totals @0600

Three storm layers present up high

Date

Sat, 10/14/2023 - 04:55

Activity

Skiing

Three clear storm layers and wind effect piling up larger drifts. Snow height at 9k ft averaged 85-90cm. The rain layer in the center of the pack creating a sheer surface that with more load could trigger the third storm layer.

Region

Out of Advisory Area

Location (from list)

Pine Creek

Observer Name

Oskar Robinson

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Oct 24, 2023

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

Snow is already on the ground on some high elevation slopes, and we have received our first reports of avalanches which occurred last week (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/avalanche-mt-blackmore-hyalite"><…. Blackmore</a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/avalanche-pine-creek"><span… Creek</a>). Before your first day on the snow, take time to ensure your avalanche rescue gear is working properly and consider refreshing your avalanche skills with a class or two this season. See our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/workshops/calendar"><stro… calendar</a> for a list of all local classes.

This time of year avalanches are not uncommon, and have injured and killed people in past early seasons (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accidents?page=3"><strong… reports</a>). Starting this week, if you plan to travel in the backcountry, whether skiing, climbing or hunting, prepare for avalanches like you would mid-winter.

<ul>
<li>Carry a beacon, shovel and probe at a minimum. Helmets are a necessity as well. </li>
<li>Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain (all snow covered slopes steeper than 30 degrees).</li>
<li>Avoid steep slopes with fresh drifts of snow, especially where a slide could push you into rocks, trees or pile up deep in a confined gully.</li>
<li>Cracking and collapsing of the snow are bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable, and clear signs to avoid steep slopes.</li>
<li>As the snow piles up it is a good idea to dig to see the layers below the recent snow. Avoid steep slopes if you find weak, sugary snow underneath new snow or drifted snow.</li>
</ul>

We are preparing for winter and beginning to collect snowpack information. If you have an avalanche, snowpack or weather observation to share. Please submit them via our <a href="blank">website</a>, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).