23-24

Remote triggers - McAtee

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

North facing aspect above McAtee creek.  Triggered one remotely while traversing below, ~150 yards away, and likely triggered the second one from below as well but cannot confirm. 4-6 foot crowns, 50-100 yards wide, ran 75-100 yards

Region
Northern Madison
Location (from list)
Buck Ridge
Observer Name
Matt Rolfson

Wind in the Bridgers

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

The snow ranger crew was out in the Bridgers today, mostly lower down in the Throne and Naya Nuki areas.  The wind was very strong all day long and even in the woods our tracks were filling lightly from wind transported snow.  We could see a fair amount of snow blowing over the ridge top and some very textured looking snow higher up.  We did not see any recent avalanches.  

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Naya Nuki Bowl
Observer Name
K. Marvinney

Two slides near top of lulu pass

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

One slide seems to be natural.

just around the ridge, lookers right, a snowmobile triggered slide

rider in photo. Rider was carried downhill, not buried. Very very lucky

the two slide seem to have happened at the same time

Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
Lulu Pass
Observer Name
D.Shelley

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Feb 23, 2024

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Human triggered avalanches are likely today. Even after days of little to no snowfall, our remarkably weak snowpack is adjusting painfully slowly. It is unusual for the danger to remain elevated for so long after the last loading event, but our snowpack this year is unusual. Have patience. There will be a time and place this season to ride steeper slopes, but we’re not there yet.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Dave toured into Hyalite yesterday and saw more avalanches that likely broke following the storm at the end of last week (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On68EbgLFbM"><span><span><span><strong>…;). These are just the latest additions to the amazing amount of avalanche activity we’ve seen over the last month and a half ( </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span… and avalanche log</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). A group up the East Fork of Hyalite yesterday got some substantial collapses and cracking, showing that the instability remains active (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30983"><span><span><span><strong><span…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Continue to plan to avoid riding on or beneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanche conditions remain dangerous and the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Less recent snowfall, less recent avalanche activity and fewer signs of instability point to a slightly lower chance of triggering a slide in the Bridger Range. Still, the snowpack structure is generally similar to elsewhere, with widespread weak snow low in the snowpack. Two large avalanches that failed last weekend (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30935"><span><span><span><strong><span… Peak</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30937"><span><span><span><strong><span… of Saddle Peak</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) demonstrate the possibility of triggering avalanches remains real. If you are considering stepping into steeper terrain, take an incremental approach rather than jumping in headfirst (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD42TrROj7k"><span><span><span><strong>…;). Choose smaller slopes and somewhat less steep slopes that don’t have recent wind loading and have good runouts beneath them. Stay alert for signs of instability and be ready to back off if you see them.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
The danger is rated MODERATE.&nbsp;</p>

Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events

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

Cracking and collapsing near Palisade Falls

Date
Activity
Skiing

From instagram (2/23/24): Wide collapses and cracks reported near Palisades Falls above the east fork Hyalite road. 

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Hyalite - East Fork
Observer Name
Sawyet Haupt

Texas Meadow Night Ski

Date
Activity
Skiing

We skied Texas meadow this evening, and found relative stability. We tested a small hand out which did show the poor snow structures that the rest of the area with a very cohesive top on a sugary base, but we didn't find wumphing or other signs of instability in this zone. Southern aspects did have a strong sun crust on them, while others had great snow. There was also very gusty wind from the south which made temporary whiteouts and could be transporting snow. 

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Texas Meadow
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