Photos

Natural slide observed on Woody Ridge near Cooke City on 12/30. Photo: B. Fredlund

Natural slide observed near Cooke City on 12/30. Photo: B. Fredlund

Natural slide on the steep edge of the falls up Woody Creek near Cooke City. 12/30. Photo: F. Madsen

Natural avalanche observed on 12/30 near Cooke City. F. Madsen

A skier remotely triggered this slide from a 10 degree slope above while digging a pit near on 12/30. F. Madsen

Natural avalanche at the head of McAtee basin near Buck Ridge on 12/30. Photo: T.J. Krob

Natural avalanche near Buck Ridge on 12/30. Crown is 4 feet deep and debris is piled in a terrain trap. Photo: T.J. Krob

Natural avalanche near Buck Ridge on 12/30. Crown is 4 feet deep and debris is piled in a terrain trap. Photo: T.J. Krob

Natural avalanche on Woody Ridge up Republic Creek near Cooke City on 12/30. Photo: C. Tuholske

A skier triggered and was caught in this slide in Truman gulch on the west side of the Bridger Range on 12/29. It broke about 2 feet deep into old snow. Photo: GNFAC

A skier triggered and was caught in this slide in Truman gulch on the west side of the Bridger Range on 12/29. It broke about 2 feet deep into old snow. Photo: GNFAC

Large natural avalanches have been observed in the mountains around Cooke City. Nearly four feet of snow in the past 4 days has created very dangerous avalanche conditions and a widespread natural avalanche cycle. Photo: F. Madsen

This slide occurred just off the road leading into Cooke City. Small avalanches are key indicators that much larger avalanches are possible. Photo: Kt Miller

This natural slide was observed in Tepee Basin in the southern Madison Range. Heavy snow and a weak snowpack structure are producing very dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: B. Radecky

This slide was triggered by a snowmobiler in Tepee Basin in the southern Madison Range. The slide occurred on a SE facing slope and likely failed on a layer of facets. The combination of heavy snow and a weak snowpack are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: B. Radecky

A snowmobiler triggered this slide from lower angle terrain above the slope on 12/29. It is on a wind loaded slope near Cooke City. A lot of new snow and wind create dangerous avalanche conditions. Photo: B. Whittle

Snowmobilers triggered this slide from lower angle terrain as they crossed below on 12/29. It is on a wind loaded slope near Cooke City. A lot of new snow and wind are creating dangerous conditions. Photo: B. Whittle

This slide occurred on a steep road cut south of Big Sky on 191. This small slide is a key indicator that larger slides are possible. Photo: GNFAC 

Debris pile of slide that a skier triggered, was caught and injured, on 12/29 in Truman Gulch on the west side of the Bridger Range. Photo: GNFAC

The natural avalanche occurred on Town Hill outside of Cooke City. The slide appears to be the result of heavy wind loading and occurred on a south facing slope. Photo: B. Fredlund