24-25

Cornice triggered natural avalanche, Saddle Peak

Date
Activity
Skiing

Cornice broke in between north and south saddle peaks.  The initial propagation width was hard to distinguish.  Maybe 50 feet.  About 18 inches deep at height of crown.  
 

Skied down Rocky Rib and then into south east facing trees that follow the path.  At the Argentina/ Shushmans traverse elevation there was a visible 2 foot wall and the slide had continued over the roll below.

 

Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
Saddle Peak

Wind slabs, cornice collapses on Mt. Blackmore

Mt Blackmore
Northern Gallatin
Code
SS-NCc-R1-D1
Elevation
10000
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.44440
Longitude
-111.00400
Notes

2/17 Immediately noticed signs of wind loading and wind slabs on NE-E aspects once in the basin. New cornices have formed in the last couple days along the North ridge to the summit. Cornice collapse on the summit triggered a small wind slab on an isolated slope. 

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Cornice fall
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

From obs: "2/17 Immediately noticed signs of wind loading and wind slabs on NE-E aspects once in the basin. New cornices have formed in the last couple days along the North ridge to the summit. Cornice collapse on the summit triggered a small wind slab on an isolated slope." Photo: R. Rintala

Northern Gallatin, 2025-02-18

From obs: "2/17 Immediately noticed signs of wind loading and wind slabs on NE-E aspects once in the basin. New cornices have formed in the last couple days along the North ridge to the summit. Cornice collapse on the summit triggered a small wind slab on an isolated slope." Photo: R. Rintala

Northern Gallatin, 2025-02-18

Small storm slabs Bridger Ridge

Wolverine Bowl
Bridger Range
Code
SS-N-R1-D1.5
Elevation
8000
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.83010
Longitude
-110.93400
Notes

3 small storm slabs observed on steep terrain of Bridger Ridge (E aspect observed from wolverine woods) Attached is a photo of the deepest likely ~12in crown

No observed wind slab development below 8100ft. No propagating test results in pits dug Lower ramp, and wolverine woods.

Number of slides
3
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1.5
Problem Type
Storm Slab
Slab Thickness
12.0 inches
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

From obs: "3 small storm slabs observed on steep terrain of Bridger Ridge (E aspect observed from wolverine woods) Attached is a photo of the deepest likely ~12in crown. No observed wind slab development below 8100ft. No propagating test results in pits dug Lower ramp, and wolverine woods." Photo: L. Butler

No Region, 2025-02-18

From obs" "Observed a few old avalanches today, maybe from the 2/8 storm. Although well out of the advisory area, helpful for skiers in the Red Lodge Area.

1)  Silver Falls Cr (Lake Fork), 9200', E, HS-N-R4-D1.5-O 45cm thick pencil hardness slab, HS 135. Pulled out into upper 20 degree terrain. 2-3 avalanches here, with one crown ~600' long.

Out of Advisory Area, 2025-02-18

Small wind slabs in Hyalite

Northern Gallatin
Code
SS-N-D1
Notes

Climbing at the Unnamed Wall in the vicinity of The Fat One, there are some 3"–8" wind slabs formed. At least three small pockets had released from 2" to 5" deep. Lots of spindrift and heavy winds filled in parts of our trail in a few minutes.

Number of slides
3
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
D size
1
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Wind slabs, cornice formation on Mt. Blackmore

Date
Activity
Skiing

2/17 Immediately noticed signs of wind loading and wind slabs on NE-E aspects once in the basin. New cornices have formed in the last couple days along the North ridge to the summit. Cornice collapse on the summit triggered a small wind slab on an isolated slope. 

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Mt Blackmore