ECTP23, 29, 30 65cm down on facets, S @7500'
Debris from 3 D1 wet loose avalanches observed on S aspect Texas Meadows
A group in the Wolverine Cirque noted several small wet loose avalanches that occurred during recent warm weather.
Recent loose wet avalanche activity, likely from Saturday. Wet loose slides on southwest through southeast aspects in steep terrain. Slide on right of photo appeared to entrain surprisingly large amount of snow. Slides on left of photo appeared to be a collection of smaller point releases.
Dug a pit while heading up the couloirs on the north aspect of Arrowhead. We had an ECTP 25 at approximately 15-20 cm deep. Decided to dig another pit on this aspect to confirm our test, and had an ECTP 15 on the same layer. We decided to descend to something more east facing, dug a pit on that aspect, and found no propagation.
<p>It has been eight days since the last reported avalanche activity and snowfall, and avalanche conditions are generally safe. Yesterday, in opposite corners of our advisory area, Doug in the northern Bridger Range (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmstU9sCAmM"><strong>video</strong></a&…;) and Alex in Cooke City (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gxJKiQe_Jo"><strong>video</strong></a&…;) both found stable snow but advised several important precautions:</p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8W8nlUMpw"><strong>Perform a stability test</strong></a> before entering steep terrain to look for isolated instabilities.</li>
<li>Follow standard safe travel protocols including carrying rescue equipment and knowing how to use it.</li>
<li>Managing your terrain choices to minimize the negative effects of a small avalanche.</li>
<li>Riding or skiing one at a time in steep terrain.</li>
</ol>
<p>Don’t discard these travel protocols when it is low danger. They are what we use to hedge our bets when entering avalanche terrain. Following this methodology, one group in Beehive Basin and one at Ernie Miller Ridge decided to make more conservative terrain choices after getting failure and propagation in their stability tests, this is never the wrong choice (<a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/22/ernest-miller-ridge"><strong>photo</s…;). Additionally, Ian made a point to mention cornices as another growing hazard that we should give a wide berth in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQF5jw9ojY"><strong>video</strong></a&…; from Buck Ridge.</p>
<p>Finally, take note of the snow surface because we have snow trickling in through the week, and today’s snow surface will be tomorrow’s weak layer. Multiple riders in West Yellowstone and Alex in Cooke City pointed out a feathery layer of surface hoar that will be problematic if it gets buried intact (<a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/22/surface-hoar-near-cooke-city"><strong… photo</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/22/west-yellowstone-surface-hoar"><stron… photo 1</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/22/surface-hoar-formation-lionhead"><str…;).</p>
<p>Today, avalanches are unlikely, and the danger is LOW.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
The West Yellowstone Beacon Park is up and running! Stop by to check it out and practice with your rescue gear.
See our education calendar for an up-to-date list of all local classes. Here are a few select upcoming events and opportunities to check out:
Riders in the Lionhead area noted that a layer of feathery surface hoar is continuing to grow. If this gets buried by the next snowstorm it will become a new weak layer. Photo: G Ewsuk
A group at Ernie Miller Ridge had an unstable test score in their second snowpit of the day (1/16/22). Lingering instabilities are isolated but it is an excellent idea to dig down and test the snowpack before getting into avalanche terrain. Photo: T Dumbrovsky
