21-22

<p>A person can trigger avalanches 1-5 feet deep, within or below snow that fell over the past couple weeks. Strong southwest wind will drift snow into fresh slabs that could avalanche under the weight of a person. These drifts could be large enough to bury someone and could trigger an avalanche deeper and wider on buried weak layers (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4yEaUsqo6A"><strong>Lionhead video</strong></a>). The last three days without new snow mean it is becoming more difficult to trigger large avalanches breaking below the recent snow, but it is still possible. Yesterday riders near Cooke City reported an avalanche on Mt. Abundance which is a few days old, but it shows what is possible and an example of type of terrain to stay away from today (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/large-natural-mt-abundance-1">pho…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/large-natural-mt-abundance-2">pho…;). Today, human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>In the Bridger Range avalanches are possible to trigger and could break 1-3 feet deep below drifts that formed over the last week. Large natural avalanches on Saddle Peak that occurred late last week are a sign to remain cautious of wind-loaded slopes (<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…;). Within the last week both Dave and I found weak, faceted snow buried up to a foot deep below recent snow (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv0tVbc9VZw&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2… Peak video</strong></a>, <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXE-CWnV_NY">northern Bridger video</a></strong>). This layer has us worried that deeper avalanches are possible to trigger. Additional weight from wind-drifted snow today keeps the avalanche danger heightened, and on their own these fresh drifts could be unstable and potentially harmful. Today avalanches are possible to trigger and avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>Strong winds today are drifting snow into shallow slabs. Due to minimal recent snow for wind to drift, in only isolated areas will fresh slabs be unstable and large enough to be harmful. Otherwise, the snowpack is generally stable and large avalanches are unlikely. If you plan to venture into steep terrain today, continuously assess the potential for unstable drifts and consider the consequences of being&nbsp;caught in even a small slide. Yesterday, skiers in Hyalite backed-off steep, consequential terrain after their snowpack assessments revealed potential unstable wind slabs sitting on weak snow. Today, large avalanches are unlikely and avalanche 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>