21-22

<p>After a three-day break in snowfall, the southern ranges of our advisory area received 3” of snow equal to 0.3” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd1314… water equivalent</a> - SWE and strong winds are transporting it into unstable drifts. While small avalanches within the several inches of new snow will be the most likely indicator of instability, the real concern is buried deeper in the snowpack in the form of a weaker layer of snow crystals called facets. Avalanches could break 4-5’ deep on this weak layer like the slide on Mount Abundance several days ago (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/large-natural-mt-abundance-1"><st…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/large-natural-mt-abundance-2"><st…;) or 1-2’ deep within the recently drifted snow. With weak layers deep in the snowpack, we will be slower to trust steep terrain and, as the snow builds up today, keep a watchful eye out for signs of rising instability (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4yEaUsqo6A"><strong>Lionhead video</strong></a>).</p>

<p>Be cautious around wind-loaded slopes and carefully evaluate the snowpack and the consequences of the terrain because human-triggered avalanches are possible. Today, the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>The Bridger Range received 4” of new snow equal to 0.3” of SWE. The combination of new snow, recent wind-loading, and a weak layer of faceted snow buried 1-3’ deep makes human-triggered avalanches possible today (<a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/22/wind-loading-saddle-peak"><strong>win… photo</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv0tVbc9VZw&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2… Peak video</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXE-CWnV_NY"><strong>northern Bridger video</strong></a>). While the new snow will not dramatically change the danger, avalanches failing 1-3’ deep on Saddle Peak last week are indicators of the continued concern (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25329"><strong>details</strong></a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-large-wind-slab-argentina…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/natural-avalanche-saddle-peak"><s…;). Look for signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing and dig a snowpit to assess buried weak layers before considering recreation in avalanche terrain today. The avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>The snowpack in the Northern Madison and Northern Gallatin Ranges is generally stable and the 1-4” of new snow (0.1-0.3” of SWE) will not significantly change the danger. Yesterday at Divide Peak, my partner and I found stable conditions. The day prior, a group just to the north of us found an isolated area of unstable snow in technical terrain and choose to return home rather than proceed (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmqHcFKWV4"><strong>video</strong></a&…;). Follow safe travel protocols to limit your exposure, look for signs of isolated instability and carefully consider the consequences of smaller avalanches in terrain that amplify the danger. The avalanche danger is LOW in the Northern Madison and Northern Gallatin Ranges.</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>