23-24

Large wet avalanche near Texas meadows

Texas Meadow
Bridger Range
Code
WS-N-R3-D2-O
Elevation
7600
Aspect
SE
Latitude
45.83910
Longitude
-110.93700
Notes

from obs. 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. 

Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed. Best guess is that a point release wet slide entrained enough snow to step down and release the whole face."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
3
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
200ft
Slab Width
80.00ft
Images
wet snow avalanche near Texas Mdw 2
wet snow avalanche near Texas Mdw
Snow Observation Source
Large avalanche near Texas meadows
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
23-24

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Apr 26, 2024

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>New snow will create the main avalanche hazards this weekend. Avalanches could show a range of characteristics, from slabs of wind-drifted snow to wet-loose avalanches that run long distances. Where more snow falls, slab avalanches could break within or below the new snow, even where not drifted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you travel on or below steep slopes, carefully assess the new snow for instability. Continuously reassess snow stability throughout the day, and as you move through different aspects and elevations. Watch for snow blowing across ridgelines and cracking across the snow surface as a sign that fresh, unstable drifts exist. Dig down to assess stability within and below the new snow. With above freezing daytime temperatures, expect wet snow stability to decrease through the day and plan to be off of steep slopes before the snow surface becomes sticky or wet.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wet snow avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are possible on slopes that have wet, unfrozen snow below the new snow, or where a lot of precipitation falls as rain on a wet and unsupportable snowpack. Wet slab avalanches were triggered last week by riders in the Taylor Fork (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31856"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and the Northern Gallatin Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31874"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and similar slides broke naturally on Mt. Abundance near Cooke City (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31866"><span><span><span><strong><span… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and in the Bridger Range north of Wolverine (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/wet-snow-avalanche-near-texas-mdw…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Remain diligent with snowpack assessments and careful route-finding, and be ready to adapt your travel plan to changing conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

Give Big Gallatin Valley is May 2-3, 2024. 

On May 2-3, please support the excellent non-profits of Gallatin County, including the Friends of the Avalanche Center (GNFAC Giving Page HERE

From obs 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed.

Avalanche Details: Large wet avalanche near Texas meadows
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Apr 26, 2024
Bridger Range, 2024-04-26
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    • From obs 4/25/24: "Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed.

    Avalanche Details: Large wet avalanche near Texas meadows
    Bridger Range, 2024-04-26
    Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
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  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • Large avalanche near Texas meadows

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Came across a relatively large wet avalanche when approaching Texas meadows from Bradley’s meadows. Elevation around 7600ft, aspect, SSE. Depth: to ground. 

    Considering the new snow on top of the debris, I’m guessing this slid prior to the storm last week. The slide path was melted out to dirt. Out of curiosity, we dug just to the lookers right of the slide and found soft snow near the ground - still evidence of crystal structure but could make a snowball if squeezed. Best guess is that a point release wet slide entrained enough snow to step down and release the whole face. 

    Region
    Bridger Range
    Location (from list)
    Texas Meadow
    Observer Name
    Amanda Kautzer

    Fox peak ob

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing
    Snowmobiling

    Elevation: 10231

    aspect: ESE

    time: 10:35, April 22nd 

    CTX - broke below isolated block, pit depth ~100cm 

    Avalanches in the goose lake area: small loose snow avalanches on shady aspects. Evidence of rollerballs and small cornice falls on sunny aspects from previous days. 

    Region
    Cooke City
    Location (from list)
    Goose Lake
    Observer Name
    Amanda Kautzer
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