21-22

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

<p>Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Large, destructive wet snow avalanches are likely and will occur naturally or can easily be triggered by a person. Today will be the sixth in a row with temperatures well above freezing. The snowpack did not freeze&nbsp;or only froze slightly&nbsp;the last five nights in a row, with last night being the warmest yet. Melt-water is flowing downward through the previously dry snowpack. When water pools on weak layers or crusts it can make the snowpack unstable and create wet slab avalanches. Where the snowpack lacks layering to create slabs, wet loose avalanches as deep as the entire snowpack can fail and be equally destructive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yesterday, ski patrols at Bridger Bowl, Big Sky and Yellowstone Club observed widespread natural wet slabs and wet loose activity in closed terrain (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26375"><strong><u>photos</u></strong><…;). Dave drove up Bridger Canyon and saw wet slabs in Argentina Bowl (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26363"><strong><u>details and photos</u></strong></a>) and full depth wet loose slides north of Ross Peak (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/26364"><strong><u>details and photo</u></strong></a>). On my drive into Cooke City I saw a couple natural large wet slabs (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/wet-slab-south-silver-gate"><stro…;), and many wet loose avalanches (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/wet-slides-peak-9595-near-ynp"><s…;). Recent activity has been widespread on slopes that receive sunshine. Today on higher, shadier slopes melt-water will be hitting weak layers for the first time, and large wet avalanches are possible on slopes facing any direction.</p>

<p>Plan to avoid steep slopes today. Consider what terrain is above you and avoid areas below steep slopes where natural wet avalanches could deposit deep, heavy debris piles. Without a good refreeze last night the snowpack will be unstable as soon as the sun shines this morning, human triggered avalanches are likely and avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. As temperatures rise to 50-60 F today, large natural wet avalanches will be likely and danger will rise to HIGH.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

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Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.

Bridger Bowl
Bridger Range
Code
WL-N-R2-D2-O
Elevation
8500
Aspect Range
E-SE-S-SW
Latitude
45.81560
Longitude
-110.92300
Notes

Ski patrols at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C. observed many natural wet slabs and wet loose avalanches in closed terrain, and nearby backcountry terrain, throughout the day on 3/27/22. 

Number of slides
15
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Images
Natural wet slides at Big Sky
Natural wet loose at YC
Natural wet loose, N. Bowl
Natural wet slide, Bridger Gully
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
21-22

On 3/27/22 Big Sky ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain. Photo: BSSP

Avalanche Details: Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Apr 1, 2022
Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
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    • "We also conducted avalanche mitigation on our Cabin’s Road at 4:30pm. The snowpack in this zone doesn’t get skied and is representative of the backcountry. The slope is ENE around 8,400’. Several wet slab avalanches were produced with explosives and ski cutting. The avalanches ranged from R4/D2 to R2/D1. They all hit the road and several crossed, and buried, the Cabin’s Road. Although most of this mitigation was done with explosives, it took minimal effort with skis to get snow moving. The crowns were 2-3’ deep and ran on the ground." Photo: YCSP

    Avalanche Details: Explosive and skier triggered wet slabs at Y.C.
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Mar 31, 2022
    Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
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    • Natural wet slabs near Cooke City

    Wall Mountain
    Cooke City
    Code
    WS-N-R2-D2-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect Range
    NW-S
    Latitude
    44.99770
    Longitude
    -109.97800
    Notes

    On 3/27/22 we saw a natural wet slab crown on Wall Mtn. south of Silver Gate. It appeared less thanb 24 hours old, maybe occurred earlier in the day. Later in the day we saw a wet slab crown on the south side of Mineral Mtn. that was not there when we drove in.

    Number of slides
    2
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    2
    D size
    2
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Images
    Wet slab south of Silver Gate
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    21-22

    Natural wet loose slides near Cooke

    Barronette Peak
    Cooke City
    Code
    WL-N-R1-D1.5-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect
    E
    Aspect Range
    E-SE
    Latitude
    44.97520
    Longitude
    -110.08700
    Notes

    We observed widespread natural wet loose activity on 3/27/22 on the way into Cooke City. Slides were 8-12" deep and happened yesterday and today. While pulled over to photograph a crown we heard avalanches running on slopes nearby.

    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet loose-snow avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    1
    D size
    1.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Images
    Wet slides on peak 9595' near YNP
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    21-22
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