Small wind slabs near the ridgeline and debris piles. Strong wind transported recent snow into drifts in gullies and near ridgelines. Photo: B. VandenBos
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Snow transported by wind on the headwaters of Lone Mountain cross-loads the gullies with drifts. These drifts can be unstable and slide in steep terrain. Photo: B. VandenBos
This pit is next to the avalanche that caught two skiers, resulting in one fatality, on October 7th, 2017. Height of snow in the photo is 120cm (3.5 feet). The hard layer of snow at the top is the layer that slid, and was likely 1-2' deep at the crown where it broke. Photo: GNFAC.
A side view of the avalanche with features marked. Photo: GNFAC.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Oct 12, 2017
Rescuers are searching and probing the lower half of the debris pile. Photo: GNFAC.
The slope that caught and buried two skiers with the crown and dimensions marked. Photo: GNFAC.
Nine search and rescue volunteers, including 2 avalanche dogs, searched the debris for the missing skier. Photo: GNFAC.
After dropping of members of the Gallatin County Search and Rescue, the helicopter searches the debris. Photo: GNFAC.
The avalanche was in a wind-loaded zone low on the peak (10,100'). It was triggered by 2 skiers as they ascended up the slope. Photo: GNFAC.