Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

A snowmobiler noted cracking of the snow surface on the south face of Reas Peak out of Island Park. The wind crust was 3-4" thick and had facets underneath which aided the propagation. Photo: Anonymous

Big Sky ski patrol triggered these slides with explosives on 11/22 during routine avalanche mitigation work. The avalanches were hard slabs that averaged 12" deep and broke on a weak layer above a crust on top of snow that fell in October. Photo: BSSP

Big Sky ski patrol triggered these slides with explosives on 11/22 during routine avalanche mitigation work. The avalanches were hard slabs that averaged 12" deep and broke on a weak layer above a crust on top of snow that fell in October. Photo: BSSP

Observer reported "A number of Avalanche Crowns on an east aspect at 9500 ft." in Tepee Basin.

An observer reported "A number of Avalanche Crowns on an east aspect at 9500 ft." in Tepee Basin

Evidence of wind-loading creating the conditions for avalanches in the Bridger Range. Cracking is an indicator of instability. The observer noted this was "Nothing consequential," but this shows that unstable drifts are forming. They will be more consequential where there is more snow and as the wind creates larger drifts. Photo: E Smith

We completed the setup of a SNOdar snow depth sensor on Sawtelle Peak in the Centennials on Wednesday 10/19. Forecaster Ian Hoyer for scale.

Located at 8800 feet elevation. The sensor will record total snow depth and 24 hr snowfall. Data will be displayed on our website soon at: http://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/stations/sawtelle-snow.