ECTP22 at 20CM. Bottom layer is a high concern to me. We experienced whumphs the entire walk in from the parking lot and had a pretty sketchy time attempting to ski a glade directly above fairy lake. The refrozen snow above the weak layer also adds some false security at a glance.
Snow depth 160 and generally stabile conditions with the lower layers gaining some strength at this location. ECTX x3 in this area. Old wind slab observed in the area but no signs of instability on that layer.
Above Bradley's Meadow, we triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets.
We triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets. Photo: GNFAC
We triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets. Photo: GNFAC
Today, we braved the frigid temperatures and toured out of the Bradley's Meadow gate north of Bridger Bowl. Above Bradley's Meadow, we triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets.
We toured up the Ramp and dug a snowpit on north facing aspect at 8200' Here we found a strong, deep snowpack just over 5' deep. Under 4" of new snow, we found a decomposing melt-freeze crust with near-surface facets, and underneath, a mostly right-side-up snowpack structure. The facets near the bottom of the snowpack have gained strength and were hard and rounding. We did not get unstable results in our pit tests here.
Additionally, during steady snowfall from late December through early January, in the Bridger Range and mountains near Bozeman we saw minimal (if any) avalanches break on weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack. This minimal activity combined with what we have been seeing in snowpits indicates deeper avalanches are unlikely.
Cracking within shallow wind slabs was the only sign on instability we saw today. We chose to ski 30-35º terrain, assessing for and steering clear of wind drifted snow as we made our way down.
Light snow fell all day (S1) and winds were calm on the ridge. There was also evidence of the strong winds earlier in the week in the form of large drifts in unusual locations across lower elevations. These drifts are worth being cautious of, though they are now stubborn to unreactive and being disguised by the new snow.
Strong winds transporting snow on Saddle Peak. Photo: BBSP
