10-11

This surface hoar crystal was found in the Bridger Range.  Surface hoar and facets are covering most slopes in southwest MT, a potential problem if they survive the warm temperatures and get buried.  Photo: A. Marienthal

 A beautiful image of surface hoar.  They're stacked like potato chips and about as strong too.  If or when these get buried we'll likely see avalanches on it. Photo: Robb Larson

The Bridger, Gallatin and Madison Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

These small wind slabs were observed near Hyalite Peak on Sunday, December 5th.  They were confined to the new snow and did not pull out any deeper layers.

 After pounding the snow in an ECT, I was ably to pry the entire slab out of the pit. No layers were breaking on this south facing slope outside Cooke City. Photo: GNFAC

These surface hoar crystals are blanketing many slopes in Cooke City.  This photo was on an ENE facing slope. Photo: GNFAC

Facets formed at the surface from a strong temperature gradient near Cooke City.  They are sitting on wet (soon to be frozen) snow.  Facets on a hard, ice bed surface is a potential problem down the line. Photo: GNFAC

These point releases were observed near Mt Blackmore in the northern Gallatin Range.  No other activity was observed in the area. North facing slopes were more wind effected than east facing slopes which were undisturbed.  Photo Beau Fredlund 

The mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

Since Thursday, over a foot and a half of snow has fallen in the mountains around Cooke City. This latest storm came in warm and laid down a dense layer of 10% snow, putting a fast and heavy load on the snowpack. On top of the abundant snowfall came strong W-SW winds, which heavily loaded leeward slopes. These slopes will likely produce avalanches under the weight of skier or rider.