24-25
1/10 Specimen summary
Date
Activity
Skiing
Widespread whumphing around Specimen Creek today (1/10). All aspects, all elevations.
Quick pits/probing summary:
HS average ~80cm on W-E slopes, dramatically less on southerlies.
Bottom 15-20cm F, facets
Upper ~60cm 1F-F
Due southerly slopes had a pronounced crust, but disappeared rapidly with subtle aspect change
Wx summary
Light to moderate wind through most of the day, generally WSW
Very light snowfall beginning around noon
One possible crown observed, but super hard to be sure through the clouds and snow. Would estimate an ESE slope, ~8000', D1.5
Ski quality was excellent. Still lots of rocks and deadfall scattered about to ski lightly though.
Region
Southern Madison
Location (from list)
Specimen Creek
Observer Name
matt zia
Hardscrabble Peak, natural avalanche
Hardscrabble Peak
Bridger Range
Code
SS-N-R2-D2
Elevation
9200
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.91510
Longitude
-110.98100
Notes
Recent natural avalanche: on an easterly aspect around 9200', on Hardscrabble Peak in the northern Bridgers.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Problem Type
Wind-Drifted Snow
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Slab Width
150.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Recent natural avalanche: on an easterly aspect around 9200', on Hardscrabble Peak in the northern Bridgers. Photo: B Fredlund
Avalanche Details: Hardscrabble Peak, natural avalanche
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Jan 12, 2025
Bridger Range, 2025-01-10
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Jan 12, 2025
3-6' deep avalanches near Cooke
Mount Abundance
Cooke City
Code
HS-N-R1-D2-O
Elevation
10000
Aspect Range
N, E
Latitude
45.07730
Longitude
-110.02100
Notes
On Jan 9 we saw many avalanches of various types and ages. Some occurred today and within the last 24 hours and some were up to a week old. Avalanche types ranged from 3-6' deep and broke on weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack... these were on Abundance east face and north side of Crown Butte and looked 3+ days old.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
Persistent slab on Fisher Mtn.
Mount Abundance
Cooke City
Code
HS-N-R3-D2.5-O
Elevation
10000
Aspect
N
Latitude
45.07730
Longitude
-110.02100
Notes
On Jan 9 we saw a large avalanche on the north side of Fisher Mtn. that happened at some time in the last week (could have been 48 hours to a week old), regardless of timing, this slide further shows the deeper weak layers are a real problem as snowfall continues to adds weight to the snowpack.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
3
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Slab
Slab Thickness
42.0 inches
Vertical Fall
400ft
Slab Width
500.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Small remote triggered pocket on Abundance
Mount Abundance
Cooke City
Code
HS-AMr-R1-D1
Elevation
9100
Aspect
SE
Latitude
45.07730
Longitude
-110.02100
Notes
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowmobile
Trigger Modifier
r-A remote avalanche released by the indicated trigger
R size
1
D size
1
Slab Thickness
36.0 inches
Vertical Fall
35ft
Slab Width
10.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Natural thick wind slab on Henderson Mtn.
Mount Abundance
Cooke City
Code
HS-N-R2-D2-S
Elevation
9800
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.07730
Longitude
-110.02100
Notes
On January 10 we saw one 3-4' deep slide that looked like it broke within recent new and wind-drifted snow on the north end of Henderson Mtn. Photo: GNFAC
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Slab Thickness
48.0 inches
Vertical Fall
300ft
Slab Width
175.00ft
Images
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Jan 10, We dug a pit on Henderson Bench on a northeast facing slope, and one on Scotch Bonnet on a south facing slope (pictured). Both showed a 4' thick strong slab on weaker, faceted snow at the base. The weak layers are not terribly weak and didn't produce concerning test scores, so they may get better when they get a break from snowfall and wind-loading, but for now recent avalanches show these layers are weak enough and will produce more big avalanches as snowfall and wind continue. Photo: GNFAC