Photos

Skiers in the northern Bridgers triggered this small slide near Frazier Basin. New snow sitting on a thin layer of facets was the likley recipe that caused this slide. Photo KT Miller 

A thick layer of surface hoar can be found on most slopes around Bacon Rind in the southern Madison Range. This layer consistently produced unstable results in stability tests. Photo GNFAC

This slope produced an avalanche in late December on facets about 1 foot (30 cm) above the ground. Those facets have become very weak depth hoar that now has a 3 foot slab of snow on top of it and could produce another avalanche. Photo: GNFAC

This avalanche was observed Thursday (2/6) north of Cooke City near Round Lake. It likely failed on a thin layer of facets near an ice crust. It occurred on a S aspect. Notice how this slide extends the full width of the photo. Avalanches are a red flag and wide propagation is a bad sign as well. Photo: A. Steckmest

Beartooth Powder Guides observed shooting cracks north of Cooke City near Zimmer Creek on Thursday (2/6) and collapsing the day before. Cracking and collapsing is bull's eye information that tells us conditions are unstable. Photo: A. Steckmest

This slide occurred early this week and was likely triggered by snow sloughing off the rocks above. It broke on a thin layer of facets just over a foot deep in an E aspect at about 9400 ft.. In Beehive, Middle and Bear Basins just north of Big Sky this layer can be found on most slopes but is only a problem on a few. Photo: GNFAC

Large surface hoar crystals found in Beehive and Middle Basins. Once these are buried they may be the next weak layer to watch out for. Photo: GNFAC

Skiers triggered three soft slab avalanches yesterday (2/5/14).  New snow on small-grained facets above an ice crust were releasing.  They were not large slides, but certainly large enough to bury you.  Photo: B. Fredlund

Wind is transporting snow in many ranges.  This picture was taken on the ridgecrest up Hyalite. Photo: B. VandenBos

These large cornices are becoming ripe for breaking off. With facets still lurking near the ground, a cornice could be the perfect trigger for a large avalanche.  Give these beasts a wide berth. Photo: B. VandenBos

The 40cm of new snow is now capping the 5cm thick layer of small grained facets.  The stripe in the pit wall is where the facets are located. CT12/ECTP14 on this layer.  More snow will likely create natural avalanches. This pit was dug above Hebgen Lake, but the snow structure is similar to most of our area. Photo: GNFAC

This small slide ran on a layer of surface hoar and was triggerd on a northeast facing slope outside of Cooke City. Photo E. Wolf

Near Cooke City a thin layer of facets can be found under the new snow on some slopes. Slopes facing south and west have the widest distribution of this layer, but I wouldn't count it out on shady aspects as well. Carefully assess the snowpack before hitting steep terrain around Cooke City. Photo GNFAC 

This slide likely occurred Thursday (1/30) following about a foot of new snow. It occurred on a mid elevation, easterly aspect. Photo: B. Fredlund

This 4-6 inch slab avalanche occurred yesterday as snowfall was just beginning. It released on a WNW aspect around 9700 feet just south of Cooke City. With more snow and wind overnight, more avalanches and bigger avalanches are likely. Photo: J. Logan

This slide was likely human triggered around a week ago. Slides like this one are still possible in steep, wind loaded terrain. Photo GNFAC

This natural avalanche occurred south of Buck Ridge along the wilderness boudary. Weak facets near the ground were pushed past their breaking point by a heavy wind load. This slide likely took place around a week ago. Photo GNFAC 

This slide was triggered by a snowmobiler up Sheep Creek outside of Cooke City. The slide broke 2-3 feet deep, 2-300 feet wide and failed on weak snow near the ground. The rider escaped unharmed, but his sled was partially buried. Photo CCA 

This slide was triggered up Sheep Creek outside of Cooke City. The snowbilier who triggered the slide was able to avoid being buried, but his sled ended up partially buried. The slide was triggered on a covex slope that had a shallow and weak snowpack. Photo CCA