10-11

The mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

The mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

This pit was dug between Fairy and Frazier lakes in the northern Bridger Range.  Faceted crystals 1-2 mm in size near the interface between October snow and November snow were found.  They were obvious in the snow pit and produced stability test results that indicated their weakness and potential to produce an avalanche.

The Bridger, northern Gallatin and northern Madison Ranges:

The Bridger, northern Gallatin and northern Madison Ranges:

This snowpit was recorded in the northern Gallatin Range just east of Hyalite Canyon.  Notice the strong, hard snow near the ground and soft, low density snow near the surface.  Stability tests show fractures about 10 inches down.  While not a problem in this snowpit, they would be a concern if a denser wind slab were deposited on top of this snowpit.  Image: A. Marienthal

This photo was taken in the northern Gallatin Range, west of Hyalite Canyon, at 6900 ft on an east facing, 35 degree slope.  This extended column test produced no fractures.  For this time of year at 6900 ft this is an exceptionally deep snowpack and promises a good foundation for the rest of the season. Photo: T. Gerling