23-24

We rode from Taylor Fork through Cabin Creek on March 17. We saw a few recent slab avalanches that happened after the last snowfall, and some recent natural wet loose avalanches, and a cornice fall. Both (all) of these types of slides are possible for someone to trigger the next 2-3 days.

Melt freeze crust on sunny slopes was 1-1.5" thick with dry snow below. Softened on south-southwest slopes by midday to early afternoon. Shady slopes seemed to be staying dry up high. Skies were mostly clear with calm wind.

Had a pretty interesting collapse this afternoon while touring up the east ridge of Beehive. The slope I was on I measured at 30° at the highest, was below treeline but in a small meadow. The surface had melted and refroze. As I was touring across the small slope stomping to the to break the surface to set a better skin track the whole piece broke (150' wide by 50' down) together and moved down slope about 6". I quickly dug a little bit where it broke from the rest of the slope and it seamed to break near the ground, ~ 50cm and with the naked eye I could see large depth hore crystals and little to no rounding.

While I do think it was simply a collapse I was very surprised this happened and the way this whole piece moved on such a low angle slope. I hadn't seen something like this before. Guess it lines up with just how weird this season has been. 

~8560' west facing

45.31868, -111.38395

We saw no new deep slab avalanches in Cooke City since Alex was there last week. Unfortunately, if you triggered one, it would be no less deadly. This was a large deep slab avalanche on Sheep Mountain. Photo: GNFAC

Wet loose snow avalanche Astral Lake. Photo: GNFAC

A wet loose snow avalanche on Crown Butte. Photo: GNFAC

We rode to the Wilderness boundary near Astral Lake and skied a small loop through to Green Lake. We then rode across to Lulu and Daisy Passes to look for avalanches. We saw several wet loose slides on south faces. We saw no new deep slab avalanches since Alex was there last week. After a late start due to some sled issues, we dug one pit looking for new upper level weak layers. ECTNs on hardness changes. We did not note any new persistent weak layers. 
 

While it remains possible to trigger very large avalanches on persistent weak layers near the base of the snow pack, it is clearly becoming less likely. Unfortunately, if you triggered one, it would be no less deadly. 

Days old (?) crown on E aspect of Woody Ridge, about 9800'