There is around one foot of dense snow measured at SNOTEL stations, and likely more snow at higher elevations. It’s time to get the skis and boards ready to slide, but don’t leave home without your avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. Put fresh batteries in your beacon, check your shovel and probe for damage, and practice using all of them.
Spring is an active time in the mountains. Weather and snow conditions can change quickly, producing a variety of avalanche problems. Here are some avalanche concerns to keep in mind:
1. WET SNOW AVALANCHES
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Avalanches like this were easily triggered, and some failed naturally, on Friday 4/15 at and near Bridger Bowl. They are about 8-16" deep within the storm snow. Photo: GNFAC
Avalanches were failing within the new snow and this pit had unstable test reuslts (ECTP4) at the same depth. There was a 3" thick supportable crust below the new snow. However, weak, wet snow produced unstable test scores with an ECTP22 on weak, wet depth hoar near the ground. Photo: GNFAC
These storm slabs were skier triggered on the Ramp near Bridger Bowl on 4/15. Many natural and skier triggered avalanches similar to this were seen. They are breaking 8-16" deep within the recent storm snow. Photo: GNFAC
Avalanches like this were easily triggered, and some failed naturally, on Friday 4/15 at and near Bridger Bowl. They are about 8-16" deep within the storm snow. Photo: GNFAC
This wet slab happened near Cooke City over the last couple days (4/10-4/12). It is on the SW aspect of Henderson. Photo: S. Strenge
One more of the debris pile. Photo: C. Bilbrey
