Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>And, just like that, it is winter and avalanche season is here. We received our first observations yesterday from the Bridger Range and the first indicators of unstable snow with it. While the reported drift was small and isolated, similar drifts will be larger and more consequential in areas with more snow and/ or exposed to more wind (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26680"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). This week, avalanches are most likely in steep terrain where the wind loads the new snow into thick drifts. The forecasted 20-35 MPH winds early in the week will exacerbate this problem. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Early-season avalanches have seriously injured and buried skiers (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/12/10/31"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), caught and injured hunters (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/15/11/06"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and resulted in tragic fatalities (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/17/10/12"><span><span><span><stron… Incident Report</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). These reports serve as reminders to EITHER avoid steep snow-covered slopes OR follow avalanche safety protocols by having a partner, backing out of steep terrain when signs of instability present themselves, traveling one at a time in terrain steeper than 30 degrees, and carrying rescue gear that you practice using (avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe). These rules apply whether you are making snow angels, hunting, sneaking in the last hike, or searching for early-season turns. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Before heading out for the first time this season, do three things. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Assess the condition of your gear… it didn’t fix itself over the summer (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izkv4IIUmbk&list=PLXu5151nmAvSpq8Ps… to video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Practice your avalanche rescue with your friends and backcountry partners (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1xuaaSq4YU&list=PLXu5151nmAvSpq8Ps… drill video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look at our avalanche </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/workshops/calendar"><span><span><span><stro… calendar</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and plan to develop your skills further this year</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Your observations are more important than ever during the early season as we get to know this season’s snowpack. If you get out, please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="blank"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs). NEW THIS YEAR is a </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… on the website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> populated with your observations (you must opt-in for observations to be shared publically). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><br />
<span><span><span><span><span><span>We’ll be updating the </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> daily and issuing pre-season bulletins as needed throughout the fall as conditions warrant. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p>This weekend’s storm delivered 20 near Island Park. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in steep terrain where the wind is loading the snow into thick drifts. Strong winds early this week will exacerbate this problem. EITHER avoid steep snow-covered slopes OR follow avalanche safety protocols by having a partner, backing out of steep terrain when signs of instability present themselves, traveling one at a time in terrain steeper than 30 degrees, and carrying avalanche rescue gear.</p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.