GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Jan 19, 2020
<p>Although not in our advisory area there were two people killed by avalanches yesterday, <a href="https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_report.php?acc_id=736&ac… snowmobiler in Utah</a> and an <a href="https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_report.php?acc_id=735&ac… climber in Colorado</a>. These were the ninth and tenth fatalities this month (<a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-accidents/">12 this season</a>). We are deeply saddened by each of these events. Incidents are frequent this time of year and we lose sleep over preventing more. Throughout the western U.S. the snowpack has buried weak layers that have been overloaded by storms since the start of 2020. Head out and have fun, but ride safe. Keep objectives mellow, constantly evaluate your exposure to avalanche terrain and commit to come home alive.</p>
<p>In southwest Montana we have seen natural and human triggered avalanches 15 of the last 18 days (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">activity log</a></strong>). Yesterday Doug visited a massive avalanche on Mt. Henderson near Cooke City. It was up to 15 feet deep and triggered by a snowmobiler on Thursday (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXVEIqSWvdY&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). This and an avalanche on Buck Ridge a couple weeks ago (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21453">details</a></strong>) are two of the three largest crowns Doug has seen in person (he’s been around for years, at least 25). Both were triggered by snowmobilers, and on Buck Ridge three people were caught and luckily uninjured.</p>
<p>Yesterday a snowmobiler triggered an avalanche in the Taylor Fork (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/snowmobile-triggered-slide-taylor…;), and a large natural avalanche broke from a cornice fall south of Saddle Peak (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-cornice-triggered-deep-sl…;). Near West Yellowstone two separate groups were surprised that they could get stability tests to propagate on sugary snow deep in the snowpack.</p>
<p>Avalanche conditions are heightened and large avalanches can be triggered with severe consequences. These big slides are getting more difficult to trigger as weak layers get buried deeper, but as Doug says in his <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXVEIqSWvdY&list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;, “they will kill you”. If you go into avalanche terrain you have to collect a lot of data and be 99.9% sure of good stability. Large avalanches are possible to trigger and avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>
<p>Yesterday there were three skier triggered avalanches reported in the northern Gallatin Range (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21638">details</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21655">details</a></strong>). One on Flanders Mountain was very large and took out the skin track of another group (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21650">details</a></strong>). The snowpack in and near Hyalite was generally stable, but yesterday’s activity is a sign that recent wind-drifted snow has activated buried weak layers. Avalanches are possible to trigger on wind loaded slopes and they can break wide on buried persistent weak layers. On non-wind loaded slopes avalanches are less likely. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and terrain. Danger is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes and LOW on other slopes.</p>
<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong></u>, email us (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out and plan to attend one or two: Events and Education Calendar.
COOKE CITY
Every Friday and Saturday, Snowpack Update and Rescue Training. Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Soda Butte Lodge. Saturday anytime between 10-2 @ Round Lake.
BOZEMAN