17-18

<p>Near Cooke City the snowpack is 5-8 feet deep, and near West Yellowstone and south of Big Sky it is 3-6 feet deep. The multi-day storm that ended Saturday dropped over 4 feet of snow equal to 4” of snow water equivalent (<a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2…;) near Cooke City, 1-2&nbsp;feet of snow equal to 1-2” of SWE in the southern Madison and Gallatin ranges, and a foot of snow equal to .6” SWE near West Yellowstone.</p>

<p>Prior to and during the avalanche warning on Saturday, widespread avalanche activity was observed near Cooke City, Bacon Rind, Tepee Creek, and the Lionhead area. See our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos"><strong>photos page</strong></a> for a look at recent activity, or our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><strong>weather and avalanche log</strong></a> for a quick summary.</p>

<p>Today, avalanches are easy to trigger where the snowpack is relatively shallow, such as lower elevations and southerly aspects, or most slopes in the Lionhead area (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85UQeqSWXqk&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvQSYtIf…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/17/looking-avalanche-crown"><strong>…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/17/lionhead-crown"><strong>photo</st…;). Yesterday, skiers near Hebgen Lake reported widespread collapsing and cracking, and similar findings were reported near Cooke City. This is bullseye data that weak facets 2-4’ deep can produce avalanches (<a href="https://youtu.be/iEGue4T9rzo"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/17/avalanche-road-cut-191"><strong>p…;, <a href="https://youtu.be/uyHF7iKRjtM"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;). Avoid steep slopes in areas where the snowpack is relatively shallow, or if you see cracking and collapsing.</p>

<p>Large wind slabs that linger from the recent storm are possible to trigger near ridgelines and near the edges or base of cliffs (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/natural-avalanches-below-cliffs">…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/large-natural-avalanche-near-cook…;). Moderate wind today will form small, fresh slabs near ridgelines that are easy to trigger, but pose minimal threat.</p>

<p>Avalanches are easy to trigger on weak facets where the snowpack is relatively shallow, and avalanche danger today is <strong>CONSIDERABLE</strong>.</p>

<p>It has been two days since the mountains received any new snow, winds are light to moderate, and the snowpack has had time to adjust to the recent storm. Near Bozeman and Big Sky the snowpack is 3-6 feet deep, and the recent storm dropped 2-3 feet of snow equal to 2-3” of SWE. On Friday, a skier was caught and injured in Truman Gulch on the west side of the Bridger Range (<a href="https://youtu.be/7ETCg89ANx0"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/17/truman-gulch-crown-skier-triggere…;). The slide broke 2 feet deep on old, weak faceted snow. This instability is not widespread near Bozeman and Big Sky, but this avalanche shows that large avalanches are possible on some slopes. Carefully evaluate the snowpack before riding in steep terrain.</p>

<p>Moderate wind today will drift snow into small, fresh slabs near ridgelines that are easy to trigger. These small slabs pose little hazard unless they push you through trees, rocks, or over cliffs. Assess the terrain for consequences of being caught in even a small slide.</p>

<p>Today, the avalanche danger is rated <strong>MODERATE</strong>.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, drop a line via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a&gt;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>