Photos

Light red lines indicate crown faces of this natural avalanche. It likely started as a wind slab/storm slab above the rocks, then dropped down onto the slope below triggering a storm slab avalanche that entrained a significant amount of snow and created a big debris pile.

On Mar 14 A group of riders shared that they had triggered a 4' deep slide in a small pocket in Sunlight Basin of the Taylor Fork area. It was in an area with a relatively shallower snowpack, and broke on weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack. The rider that triggered it was going uphill and got stuck shortly after and noted the snowpack was much deeper there.

Near Cooke City on Mar 14 there was 6" of new snow and wind was calm, even along the ridge near regularly wind-loaded slopes, and there was no snow blowing off ridgelines. The photo shows a slope that normally receives a lot of wind effect, but the new snow is unaffected indicating the wind has been calm. Photo: GNFAC

Dug a pit on a northeast facing slope, 9300' (profile and pic attached) near Cooke City. Snow depth was 7-8 feet. 6" of new snow was right side up. Below the new snow was a soft (1F-) melt-freeze crust with soft decomposing and slightly faceted particles below. ECTN13 broke below the crust. Below that the snowpack was 1F to P+ hard and lacked weak layers. The Feb 4 dirt layer was clearly visible. Photo: GNFAC

Today I observed multiple small wind slab avalanches off Woody Ridge. NE and E facing, 10000 ft. Max size D1. Photo: BPG

Today I observed multiple small wind slab avalanches off Woody Ridge. NE and E facing, 10000 ft. Max size D1. Photo: BPG

 Many dry loose slides on Cooke Peak in Hayden Creek. Photo: BPG

Snowfall forecast through Friday evening, March 14

Mountain goat hanging out in Wolverine Bowl

Mar 9. We rode out Lionhead Ridge... there were two or three shallow small wind slabs below Lionhead Ridge. Photo: GNFAC

Mar 9. We rode out Lionhead Ridge... there were two or three shallow small wind slabs below Lionhead Ridge. Photo: GNFAC

Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

Skier triggered wind slab on Northeast slope at 7,450 feet elevation. One skier was caught and carried roughly 10 feet before the slide came to a stop.

We also witnessed a falling cornice today that washed some snow through rocks. Be aware of what's above you.

From obs: "Multiple natural loose avalanches in the steep terrain of mt Blackmore. All originated at the base of cliffs or trees. Counted 4 prominent ones."

Photo: M. Stern

From obs: "Looks like a recent naturally triggered slide towards the Idaho wilderness boundary on lionhead."

Photo: M. Klahr

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC

Mar 7 obs: "...There was 6" of low density snow from yesterday. Winds were stronger than expected, from the north at the top of the Throne, and increased through the morning.... We found fresh drifts that were reactive, cracking easily and 5-10' wide out from our skis, on south and east facing slopes around 8000-8300'." Photo: GNFAC