19-20

<p>The mountains around Cooke City have gotten snow for the last 9 days. Another 4” fell last night &nbsp;bringing their 9 day total to 37” measuring 3.6” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a>. Steady loading from new snow and wind drifting is creating dangerous conditions. Avalanches may break in the new snow or even deeper. Wind-loaded slopes are especially dangerous, but even on slopes without a wind load, avalanches are likely. Upper elevation slopes are starting zones for large avalanches and they have not had a reprieve. Do not get on or underneath steep slopes. For today, the avalanche danger is rated HIGH in all wind-loaded slopes and CONSIDERABLE on all others.</p>

<p>New snow and southwest wind gusting to 35 mph is loading slopes in the mountains around Bozeman and Big Sky where 4-8” has fallen. It is still snowing and blowing and wind-loaded slopes will be easy to trigger. In the last 5 days there have been avalanches triggered by sledders on Buck Ridge, a dog in Middle Basin, skiers north of Big Sky, and red flags of collapsing and cracking. Videos, pictures and details of all these can be found on our <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">Avalanche Activity</a></strong> page. Additionally, the Big Sky Ski Patrol continues to release deep avalanches on wind-loaded terrain with explosives. This is relevant because these deep layers are a concern in the backcountry. For today, the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded terrain and MODERATE on all others.</p>

<p>A few inches of snow (1-3”) fell in the southern mountains and West Yellowstone with 10-20 mph wind from the southwest. The snowpack averages 3 feet and consists of weak, sugary, unbonded snow in the bottom foot. Over the last 3 days Ian and I rode into Teepee Creek (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/ct-teepee-basin">photo</a></stron…;), Dave was in Taylor Fork (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/QoHpKz6J52s">video</a></strong&gt;), and a gaggle of sledders in an avalanche class rode to Lionhead. We all found poor snow structure and do not trust it. Consequently, I advise caution when approaching avalanche terrain. Although the likelihood of triggering slides is decreasing, it is still possible to avalanche a slope. Recent avalanche activity, cracking or collapsing are red flag warnings to stay away. For today, the avalanche danger is rated a <em>serious</em> MODERATE on all slopes. Avalanches are possible. Don’t blow it.</p>

<p>The northern Gallatin Range has gotten an extra helping of wind but a famine of snow. Wind-loaded slopes at the ridgelines or in gullies are where lingering instabilities are found. Avalanches are still possible so do not let your guard down. Cracking, collapsing or recent avalanche activity, no matter how small, are red flags of caution. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an&nbsp;<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong></u>, email us (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u&gt;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>In the last 2 days Cooke City has gotten 1.5-2 feet of snow (1.5” </a><a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a>) and southwest wind gusting to 40 mph. Yesterday, skiers reported swirling winds were building drifts in unusual locations. Today wind is expected to lessen yet still remain strong enough to load slopes. The additional weight of new snow and windblown snow will keep the avalanche danger heightened. Natural avalanches are expected in the wind-drifted snow and triggering avalanches on skis or a sled is likely on all steep slopes. In the last decade in Cooke City, people have died playing on flat terrain when avalanches broke above them in conditions similar to today. Do not expose yourself to avalanche terrain as the danger is rated HIGH in all wind-loaded slopes and CONSIDERABLE on all others.</p>

<p>Ian and I went into Teepee Creek yesterday and snowmobiled by braille in a whiteout. The weight of 6-8” of snow Monday night in the southern mountains, including Lionhead, has elevated the avalanche danger. Strong ridgetop wind is loading slopes even more, and weak, sugary snow at the ground is straining to support it. This is a recipe for avalanches and I do not trust the snowpack. Dave rode into Taylor Fork on Monday and saw first-hand the poor snowpack structure and impending hazard (<a href="https://youtu.be/QoHpKz6J52s"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;). For today, triggering avalanches is likely on steep slopes and the danger is rated CONSIDERABLE. Avoid traveling on or underneath avalanche terrain.</p>

<p>The mountains around Big Sky and Bozeman have not gotten much snow in the last 5 days, but they are getting wind and wind-loading. Yesterday, skiers on Yellow Mountain north of Big Sky triggered an avalanche 16” deep in wind-drifted snow that ran 100 feet wide and 300 feet downslope (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21500">details</a></strong&gt;). Also, Big Sky Ski Patrol released a large avalanche with explosives, evidence that weak layers at the ground are slow to strengthen. This was the culprit on Saturday when 3 sledders triggered a 10 foot deep monster wind slab off Buck Ridge. Two were partially buried, but uninjured. Alex and I investigated the slide on Sunday (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vDe6LE-nhU">video</a></strong&gt;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/snowmobile-triggered-avalanche-bu…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21453">details</a></strong&gt;). At the same time, Dave and his partner saw an avalanche that was triggered by a dog breaking a cornice in Middle Basin (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZD8KZflzXg&amp;feature=youtu.be">video…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/P1013879.JPG">p…;). Given the recent avalanche activity and continued wind-loading, triggering avalanches is possible and the danger is rated MODERATE.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an&nbsp;<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong></u>, email us (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u&gt;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>