Large chucks of hard debris were piled 3-4' deep in the runout of a human-triggered avalanche in the backcountry near Big Sky Resort. Photo: GNFAC
The Big Sky Ski Patrol saw this natural avalanche as it occurred. "This morning around 8:45AM myself and my route partner were doing control work in hanging valley. I watched as he prepared a shot and saw a big cloud of snow on Cedar behind him. As I was looking I saw an avalanche appear from below the blowing snow. I watched it run from near the top of the ridge to the runout approximately 800-1000 ft below. It looked like most of the bowl was involved in the avalanche so I estimate the crown to be likely 1000ft wide. It looked to not be an enormous amount of volume so I estimate it to be likely between 6in and 2ft. We did not get a good view of crown as weather moved in shortly after and winds were strong."
The Big Sky Ski Patrol saw this natural avalanche on Cedar Mountain as it occurred. Photo: N. Laskowski
Skiers near Zimmer Creek observed a couple natural avalanches that occurred during the day and early this morning on 3/14/22.
Another group reported: "Avalanche on Mt Fox, E aspect that likely ran on the same layer. Visibility was too poor for a photos. D2-R1 ran aprx 400' feet and crossed the bench at its Southern edge for about 100'."
A natural avalanche near Green Lake near Cooke City. Observed on 3/14/22 and likely occurred sometime between 11 am-4 pm. Photo: J. Mundt
"skier remote trigger while performing a ski cut, also in Butter. All slides [observed today] were D1, storm slab on mfcr, solar aspects
Also observed a couple large wumpfs and cracking on lower angle slopes. This new snow warmed up significantly today, pretty touchy out there."
Skier triggered remotely from a ski cut on 3/14/22 near Zimmer Creek. Photo: J. Mundt
Natural avalanche observed on 3/14/22 near Zimmer Creek. Occurred within previous 12 hours. Photo: J. Mundt
