24-25

Persistent Slab Avalanches in Taylor Fork

Taylor Fork
Southern Madison
Code
SS-AM-R2-D2-O
Elevation
9200
Aspect Range
E-N
Latitude
45.06070
Longitude
-111.27200
Notes

We rode into the Taylor Fork, down into the bottom of Sunlight Basin, across Carrot Basin and to the Wilderness Boundary. We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Additionally, we saw one wind slab avalanche (R1, D1) in Sunlight Basin. This slide was fresh from this morning or yesterday. 

We dug a crown profile for the persistent slab avalanche in Sunlight (attached). ECTN24 on the SH layer buried 50 cm (20") deep.

Number of slides
4
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowmobile
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Slab
Slab Thickness
50.0 centimeters
Vertical Fall
100ft
Slab Width
200.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Surface Hoar
Weak Layer grain size
8.00mm
Images
Avalanche in Sunlight Basin, Taylor Fork 2
Avalanche in Sunlight Basin, Taylor Fork
Sunlight Basin Avalanche Crown Profile - 13 February 2025
Stripe of Surface Hoar in Avalanche Crown - Sunlight
Persistent Slab Avalanche Carrot Basin
Snowmobiler-triggered Avalanche Sage Basin 2
Snowmobiler-triggered Avalanche Sage Basin
Alex Investigates an Avalanche in Taylor Fork
Attached Videos
Persistent slab and wind slab avalanches, Taylor Fork - 13 Feb 2025
Snow Observation Source
Wind Slab and Persistent Slab Avalanches
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
24-25

Buried layers of surface hoar often show up a stripe in a snowpit wall (other things such a thin melt-freeze crust can look similar but feel much differently). A snowmobiler-triggered avalanche in Sunlight Basin broke on this weak layer of feathery surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

Avalanche Details: Persistent Slab Avalanches in Taylor Fork
Southern Madison, 2025-02-13
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    • We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

    Avalanche Details: Persistent Slab Avalanches in Taylor Fork
    Southern Madison, 2025-02-13
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  • Large 480px
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  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • Wind Slab Avalanche in Hyalite

    NORTHERN GALLATIN RANGE
    Northern Gallatin
    Code
    SS-N-R1-D1
    Elevation
    7500
    Aspect
    W
    Latitude
    45.44150
    Longitude
    -110.95400
    Notes

    Climbed in the Mummy II area in Hyalite today. West facing ~7,500'. Lots of spindrift coming down onto the climbs in the area and we noticed lots of snow blowing around up high. No snow fell while we were there but our trail in was almost fully filled in and covered with a few inches to a couple feet of wind slab on the way out. Saw a small natural slide that started at the bottom of Cyptorchid. Crown was 10' wide and 8-18" deep, it ran 150' down a very shallow slope and covered the climbers trail. 

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    1
    D size
    1
    Problem Type
    Wind-Drifted Snow
    Slab Thickness
    12.0 inches
    Vertical Fall
    150ft
    Slab Width
    10.00ft
    Images
    Wind Slab in Mummy II area (2)
    Wind Slab in Mummy II area (1)
    Snow Observation Source
    Strong winds and wind slab avalanche in Hyalite
    Slab Thickness units
    inches
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    24-25
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