24-25

Surface Conditions in Hyalite

Date
Activity
Skiing

Large surface hoar across a variety of elevations and aspects at Lick Creek. It was 2-5mm large and present on almost all flats and non-solar aspects, and from the road up to 8500 ft and above. The most recent snow was wetting out on the solars, and temperatures were well above freezing at my car when I got back to it in the early afternoon.

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Lick Creek
Observer Name
Wyatt Hubbard

Ellis Obs

Date
Activity
Skiing

Toured up Ellis. Observed well-preserved surface hoar in meadows and on the ridgeline on NE aspects. MF crust starting to form on SE aspects. Dug at 8230’ on an ESE aspect. HS 120. Found the buried surface hoar layer from a few weeks ago down 25cm. Got collapsing but no propagation on this layer. Beautiful day!

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Mt Ellis
Observer Name
E. Donahue

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Jan 29, 2025

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Watch for two things today:</span></span></strong></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>1 - Small wet loose avalanches </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>may happen on sunny slopes especially ones with exposed rocks that add extra heat to the snow. These small slides will mostly be an issue if you’re in confined gullies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>2 - Wind slabs</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> should mostly have bonded to underlying snow, BUT some wind slabs may be resting on faceted snow that formed during cold, dry weather on MLK weekend. These wind slabs resting on facets may remain unstable. This is mostly an isolated problem, and the challenge is that there is no way of identifying them. Avoiding any spot that appears to have previously drifted snow is a good solution. The most recent wind slab avalanches happened on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/33871"><span><span><span><span><span><… in Hyalite</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, another in </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/33880"><span><span><span><span><span><… on Sunday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, and one on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/33859"><span><span><span><span><span><… in the Bridger Range</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>If you do get onto a slope with some old wind slabs</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>, consider the consequences of triggering one and select slopes with a smooth, clean runout with no rocks, trees, or terrain traps.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>** In southern parts of the forecast area, persistent slab avalanches are unlikely. By next week this could change with significant snowfall and wind.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Don’t let your guard down today </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>because</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>you can still find unstable snow in isolated areas. Otherwise avalanche conditions are generally safe and the danger is LOW.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

KING AND QUEEN OF THE RIDGE

Join us for the King & Queen of the Ridge this Saturday at Bridger Bowl! Hike, ride and help us raise money. It’s a blast! Fundraising prizes for the top 5 individuals who raise over $500. No racing is necessary to compete for the fundraising prizes.

Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin

Cedar Mtn.
Northern Madison
Code
SS-N-I
Aspect Range
N-NE
Latitude
45.22680
Longitude
-111.51200
Notes

Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

Number of slides
3
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Images
Recent avalanches Cedar Mtn 2
Recent avalanches Cedar Mtn
Snow Observation Source
Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
24-25

Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

Avalanche Details: Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin
Northern Madison, 2025-01-29
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    • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

    Avalanche Details: Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin
    Northern Madison, 2025-01-29
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  • Large 480px
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  • Original

    • Bridger Peak

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Took the ridge out to Bridger Peak. Winds have done their damage and skiing conditions were quite bad. Winds had affected snow at nearly all elevations.

    Snow depths on SE and NE aspects were 120 cm, and the snowpack is dense, hard, solid, and stable. We couldn't find any evidence of near-surface facets from recent cold weather and clear days/nights. The combination of wind and warmth destroyed them if they existed. 

    On south aspects, the snow had become wet, and we spotted a few rollerballs/pinwheels - mostly near exposed rocks.

    Region
    Bridger Range
    Location (from list)
    Bridger Peak
    Observer Name
    Staples & Darby

    Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

    Region
    Northern Madison
    Location (from list)
    Cedar Mtn.
    Observer Name
    Reneé Freeman
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