Southern Gallatin

Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.

Bridger Bowl
Bridger Range
Code
WL-N-R2-D2-O
Elevation
8500
Aspect Range
E-SE-S-SW
Latitude
45.81560
Longitude
-110.92300
Notes

Ski patrols at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C. observed many natural wet slabs and wet loose avalanches in closed terrain, and nearby backcountry terrain, throughout the day on 3/27/22. 

Number of slides
15
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Images
Natural wet slides at Big Sky
Natural wet loose at YC
Natural wet loose, N. Bowl
Natural wet slide, Bridger Gully
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
21-22

On 3/27/22 Big Sky ski patrol witnessed many natural wet slides in closed terrain. Photo: BSSP

Avalanche Details: Natural wet slides in closed terrain at Bridger, Big Sky and Y.C.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Apr 1, 2022
Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • "We also conducted avalanche mitigation on our Cabin’s Road at 4:30pm. The snowpack in this zone doesn’t get skied and is representative of the backcountry. The slope is ENE around 8,400’. Several wet slab avalanches were produced with explosives and ski cutting. The avalanches ranged from R4/D2 to R2/D1. They all hit the road and several crossed, and buried, the Cabin’s Road. Although most of this mitigation was done with explosives, it took minimal effort with skis to get snow moving. The crowns were 2-3’ deep and ran on the ground." Photo: YCSP

    Avalanche Details: Explosive and skier triggered wet slabs at Y.C.
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Mar 28, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 29, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Mar 30, 2022GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Thu Mar 31, 2022
    Northern Madison, 2022-03-28
    Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original

    • Natural slabs on Sphinx and Cedar

    Cedar Mtn.
    Northern Madison
    Code
    WS-N-R1-D1.5-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect
    SE
    Aspect Range
    SE-N
    Latitude
    45.22680
    Longitude
    -111.51200
    Number of slides
    2
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    1
    D size
    1.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Images
    Natural wet slab on Cedar Mtn.
    Natural slab Aalanche on the Sphinx
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    21-22

    Whumphing and natural wet slide near Electric Peak

    Electric Peak
    Southern Gallatin
    Code
    WL-N-R2-D2-G
    Latitude
    45.00800
    Longitude
    -110.83700
    Notes

    From obs 3/26/22: "Freezing temps overnight created breakable crust in the morning which quickly deteriorated as the day warmed. (Temps rose surprisingly faster than we anticipated.  Experience large whumphs while ascending the NW shoulder of Electric Pk. at 9600 ft. Without hesitation we turned back and skied out the skin track. The snow became very rotten and we penetrated to boot-tops often while exiting." 

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Wet loose-snow avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    R size
    2
    D size
    2
    Bed Surface
    G - Ground
    Problem Type
    Wet Snow
    Images
    Natural wet avalanche near Electric Peak
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    21-22

    Snowmobile triggered hard slab T Fork

    Carrot Basin
    Southern Madison
    Code
    HS-AM-R2-D1.5-O
    Elevation
    9000
    Aspect
    NE
    Latitude
    44.95920
    Longitude
    -111.31300
    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Hard slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Snowmobile
    R size
    2
    D size
    1.5
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Images
    Snowmobile triggered slide in Taylor Fork
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    21-22

    From obs 3/26/22: "Freezing temps overnight created breakable crust in the morning which quickly deteriorated as the day warmed. (Temps rose surprisingly faster than we anticipated.  Experience large whumphs while ascending the NW shoulder of Electric Pk. at 9600 ft. Without hesitation we turned back and skied out the skin track. The snow became very rotten and we penetrated to boot-tops often while exiting." Photo:  S. Miller

    Avalanche Details: Whumphing and natural wet slide near Electric Peak
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Mar 27, 2022
    Southern Gallatin, 2022-03-27
    Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original
    • Subscribe to Southern Gallatin