Trip Planning for Cooke City Area

From email on 1/22/22: "This morning (20220122) I was ascending a steep North facing couloir up the N summit of Republic Mountain and on ascent (boot packing) about 1/2 way up the line I triggered a small soft slab from that propagated around the rock I was tucked behind, 40M above me and and 20M across. Luckily, my ascent line was sheltered from any above exposure and I was not caught or carried in anyway. The crown ranged from 8cm where I triggered it to an estimated 25cm at its deepest. The avalanche ran an estimated 200M. I believe the windslab ran on 1-3mm NSF's (evident on the bed surface) formed in the high pressure before the recent light precip."

From email 1/22/22: "Several dry loose naturals on Climax in steep terrain. Perhaps from Thursday or Friday?" Photo: N. Hance

Snowmobilers observed several small, dry loose avalanches in the new snow on Crown Butte on 1/21/22. Photo: R. DeSilva

Snowmobilers observed small, naturally triggered avalanches on Crown Butte. This avalanche occurred in the new snow on a wind-loaded slope. Photo: R. DeSilva

Observers noted very small, skier-triggered avalanches in the new snow on Chimney Rock. Photo: R. DeSilva

On January 18, 2022 a weak layer of surface hoar was buried by 1-2" of new snow near Cooke City. As more snow builds a slab over this weak layer it will cause avalanches. Photo: GNFAC

On January 18, 2022 a weak layer of surface hoar was buried by 1-2" of new snow near Cooke City. As more snow builds a slab over this weak layer it will cause avalanches. Photo: GNFAC

We saw surface hoar on all aspects near Cooke City on January 16, 2022. Photo: GNFAC

Settlement rings around the base of trees near Cooke City, January 15, 2022. Photo: B. Fredlund

A cornice collapse likely triggered this large natural avalanche on 27 Dec 2021. The crown was 4-6' deep. Photo: S. Culotta

From obs: 1/8/22: "...One minor avalanche observed in Republic Creek.  It was on a steep and rocky E, NE aspect around 9700'..." Photo: B. Fredlund

From obs: 1/8/22: "Observed natural north Scotch Bonnet". Ran during storm 1/6-1/8. Photo: D. Wycoff

Large, deep avalanche on East face of Mt. Abundance. Photo from 1/2/22: S. Strenge

Large, deep avalanche on East face of Mt. Abundance. Photo from 1/2/22: S. Strenge

Large, deep avalanche on East face of Mt. Abundance. Photo from 1/2/22: S. Strenge

Snomobilers observed this natural avalanche on a NE aspect on Sheep Mountain on 1/1/22. It appeared to be more than 48 hours old. Photo: J. Fritz

This photo shows where people and their machines were buried. Photo: S. Strenge

Upper portion of the fatal avalanche on Scotch Bonnet. 12/28/21

Photo: GNFAC

Crown of the fatal avalanche on Scotch Bonnet. 12/28/21.

Photo: GNFAC

GNFAC Forecasters Ian Hoyer and Doug Chabot at the crown of the fatal avalanche on Scotch Bonnet. 12/28/21 

Photo: GNFAC

Snowmobilers riding near Mount Abundance north of Cooke City triggered two avalanches on Dec. 27th. No one was caught or injured. Photo: Anonymous

Snowmobilers riding near Mount Abundance north of Cooke City triggered two avalanches on Dec. 27th. No one was caught or injured. Photo: Anonymous

A sled was recovered uphill of the 2 avalanche victims in the same area it was stuck. The sled was found with a probe line and is buried 3-4 feet deep. The avalanche crown can be seen in the upper slopes above them. Photo: GNFAC

The crown of the avalanche that killed two snowmobilers on December 27, 2021 was 300 feet wide and 4-5 feet deep. Photo: GNFAC

These are the two sites where the 2 snowmobilers were recovered. They were buried 4-5 feet deep in debris piles that measured 9 feet deep. Photo: GNFAC

Ian Hoyer stands next to the crown where we dug a snowpit and investigated the snow structure. The crown averaged 4-5 feet deep. Near his right knee is the layer of weak faceted snow that broke 40 cm above the ground. Above this layer was a thick slab of windblown snow. Photo: GNFAC

Skiers reported this natural avalanche on a wind-loaded slope on Henderson Mountain. They estimated the maximum crown depth to be 4-6' likely triggered by a cornice fall. Photo: W. Miller

We are sad to report that on December 27th, two snowmobilers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain to the north of Cooke City. The avalanche broke 5’ deep and approximately 300’ wide on a southeast-facing slope.

Members of Park County Sheriff Search and Rescue arrived to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. 

Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family, members of the group, and the search and rescue community. We will release further details as they become available.

Photo: B. Zavora

We are sad to report that on December 27th, two snowmobilers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain to the north of Cooke City. The avalanche broke 5’ deep and approximately 300’ wide on a southeast-facing slope.

Members of Park County Sheriff Search and Rescue arrived to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. 

Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family, members of the group, and the search and rescue community. We will release further details as they become available.

Photo: B. Zavora

We are sad to report that on December 27th, two snowmobilers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain to the north of Cooke City. The avalanche broke 5’ deep and approximately 300’ wide on a southeast-facing slope.

Members of Park County Sheriff Search and Rescue arrived to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. 

Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family, members of the group, and the search and rescue community. We will release further details as they become available.

Photo: B. Zavora

We are sad to report that on December 27th, two snowmobilers were caught and killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain to the north of Cooke City. The avalanche broke 5’ deep and approximately 300’ wide on a southeast-facing slope.

Members of Park County Sheriff Search and Rescue arrived to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. 

Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s friends and family, members of the group, and the search and rescue community. We will release further details as they become available.

Photo: B. Zavora

From Beartooth Powder Guides: Saw this small natural avalanche today while coming back from the yurt. While being small on the relativity scale, it seems to have broke fairly deep.

We generally stayed away from wind-loaded slopes today in Cooke City; however, we triggered this crack while crossing through a large drift of snow on Scotch Bonnet. This is an indicator of issues we will find on wind-loaded slopes right now. Photo: GNFAC

New snow in Cooke City on December 20th. Photo: GNFAC

In shallow areas near rock bands and wind-scoured slopes, we found a more developed weak layer of depth hoar. These shallow areas will be areas of concern when they get loaded by a larger storm or wind event. Photo: GNFAC

Cooke City Beacon Checker.

Photo: R. Youngbar

New snow was blown into thick drifts that can be triggered by skiers or riders. Cracking like this is a sign that drifts are unstable and could slide on steeper slopes. Photo: GNFAC

This small natural wind slab was observed north of Cooke City on 12/7/21. Photo: GNFAC

From email (12/5/21) : "Small avalanche triggered while approaching ice climb in East fork of Hyalite basin. 

Another D1 natural avalanche was observed later in the day similar aspect/elevation

NE @7600’
SS-AFu-D0.5-I"

Photo: A. Schoening

Skiers on Mount Blackmore observed cracking within the freshly wind-loaded snow on a southeast-facing slope just below the ridge (11/24/21). Photo: J Schack