20-21

<p>Today’s storm will create avalanches. In the last 48-hours ridge winds increased (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wind-loading-sphinx">photo,</a></…; <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wind-ripples-near-fairy-lake">pho…;) and loaded slopes resulting in cracking and a few small avalanches. These were seen in the Bridger Range (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wind-slab-avalanche">photo</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/cracking-frazier-basin">photo</a>…;) and Mt Blackmore in the northern Gallatin Range (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/loose-avalanche-mt-blackmore">pho…;). I was able to trigger a 4” wind slab yesterday on Sphinx Mountain. Shooting cracks in the snow as we walked warned us of the danger (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/shooting-cracks-sphinx">photo</a>…;), and sure enough, I was able to intentionally trigger a slide on a steep, small slope with a whack of my ice-tool (<strong><a href="https://youtu.be/tpbI_mgWKJ4">video</a></strong&gt;). Although thin, the avalanche released 75’ up the hill and raced past us over a 100’ cliff. We made an easy decision to turn around.</p>

<p>Last night and today’s snowfall will make slopes more unstable. Be aware that cracking or avalanche activity, no matter how small, are signs to avoid avalanche terrain. On average, snow depth on the ground is about 12-16” with Cooke City having 38”. &nbsp;Skiers, boarders and snowmobilers should treat early season as they would mid-winter. Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain and carry rescue gear (beacon, shovel and probe). Hunters need to be extra careful as they cross slopes or gullies that are filled with wind-blown snow. Hunters have been caught in years past and this weekend’s rising avalanche danger is coinciding with opening day.</p>

<p>Triggering a small avalanche yesterday was a reminder to get my act together. My rescue skills are not up to par, my gear is a bit of a junk show, and I’m not feeling as sharp as I want in my snow assessment. I imagine most of you can relate and this weekend is a great opportunity to tighten our scene. Put fresh batteries in your beacon and practice with it, double check your air bag canister, and get in the habit of looking at the daily <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">weather log</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photos page</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">avalanche activity list</a></strong>.</p>

<p>Ian will issue an updated avalanche bulletin tomorrow morning. &nbsp;If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share. Please 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>