Photos From the Field
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Wet avalanche at Yellowstone Club -Apr 5, 2013 This slope climaxed yesterday (Thursday) at 3 pm. It was a wet avalanche that started as a point release and stepped down 3’ deep, and went 600’ vertical. It snapped trees along the way. Photo: T. Leonard |
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Wet slab avalanche near Sphinx Mountain -Apr 5, 2013 A recent wet slab avalanche on a southeast facing slope of the Helmet next to Sphinx Mountain. Photo: B Fredlund. |
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Wet avalanches in Tobacco Roots -Apr 5, 2013 Although located outside of our advisory area, this avalanche illustrates how wet avalanches can be destructuive even on small slopes. The email with the picture states "I ran into a fresh slide yesterday afternoon in the southern end for the Tobacco Roots that I though was worth sharing. The slide occurred on the SW slope (225) at ~ 7500' on a frequently used snowmobile trail. It was surprising the see the result of a small slope/ path but full depth slide cover the trail with at least 8' of debris including small trees." Photo: W. Harden |
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Wet loose avalanches in Woverinbe Bowl -Apr 5, 2013 Loose, wet avalanches like these are signs the surface snow is getting wet and loosing strength. This east facing slope had not had freezing tremperatures the last three days. Photo: J. Jacobs |
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Wet avalanches in Beehive Basin -Apr 3, 2013 These slides occurred in Beehive Basin near Big Sky on Monday (4/1) and Tuesday (4/2). Other similar slides were observed. Photo: C. Corey |
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Wet avalanche at Big Sky -Apr 3, 2013 This slide was triggerd by starting a very small point release that quickly gained volume and speed. Photo: Big Sky Ski Patrol |
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Wet avalanches at Big Sky -Apr 3, 2013 These wet loose and wet slab avalanches occurred on Monday (4/1) and Tuesday (4/2) in closed areas at Big Sky. These occurred on south facing slopes at 10K feet. Photo: Big Sky Ski Patrol |
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Wet vs Dry snow avalanches -Apr 2, 2013 Avalanches depend on a balance of stress vs. strength in the snowpack. When stress exceeds strength we get avalanches; therefore, to get an avalanche either increase the stress or decrease the strength. Dry snow avalanches occur when stress increases with the additional weight of new snow or wind-blown snow. Wet snow avalanches occur when the strength decreases with the addition of liquid water from warm air temperatures, sunshine, or rain. |
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Point Release - Beehive Basin -Mar 30, 2013 Warming temperatures and direct sun are causing point releases on steep slopes. These signs of instability are direct clues the snowpack is becoming unstable. Photo GNFAC |
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Dry Slab Avalanche - Northern Madison Range -Mar 30, 2013 4-6 inches of new snow above 9,000 ft combined with moderate northwest winds loaded upper elevation, leeward slopes. Fresh wind slab are resting over a firm ice crust on sun exposed slopes. This slide broke 4-6 inches deep, 50 feet wide and was triggered from the ridgeline. Althoug small in size, this slide could have carried a skier into unpleasant terrain. Photo GNFAC
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