Southern Gallatin

Electric Peak, near Gardiner

Date
Activity
Skiing

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.

Region
Southern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Electric Peak
Observer Name
Shep Miller

3 skiers caught, 2 injured on Woody Ridge near Cooke

Woody Ridge
Cooke City
Code
HS-ASu-R2-D2.5-O
Elevation
9500
Aspect
W
Latitude
44.99330
Longitude
-109.92500
Notes

On March 24, 2022 a group of six skiers descended the west side of Woody Ridge near an area locally
known as KNB's. Approximately a third of the way down the slope the group triggered an avalanche that
crossed three gullies, broke 1-3 feet deep, 275 feet wide (measured on GoogleEarth) and ran 700 feet
vertical. Five skiers were stopped, watching one descend the slope. Three of the stopped skiers were in a
row of dense trees directly above and adjacent to where the slide broke and two were stopped a few
feet below the trees. The avalanche caught the skier and two members of the group who were stopped
downhill of the trees. One skier was pinned against a tree and the avalanche passed him. The second
skier slid into a tree sustaining multiple suspected rib fractures. The third, who was actively skiing, was
caught, carried and partially buried with just his arm sticking out of the snow, 500 vertical feet below the
avalanche crown. All three captured skiers successfully deployed their airbags.

The three remaining members of the group switched their avalanche transceivers to search and located
all three victims, and unburied the partially buried skier within five minutes. All members of the group
had formal avalanche training: Avalanche Level 1 and 2 up to a Pro Level 2. All members of the group had
avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes and airbags. The group performed field first aid and
self-evacuated to Cooke City.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT

Number of slides
1
Number caught
3
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
2
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
700ft
Slab Width
275.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Weak Layer grain size
2.00mm
Weak Layer Hardness
F
Slab Layer Grain Type
Decomposing and Fragmented precipitation particles
Slab Layer Hardness
1F
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Two natural cornice fall triggered slides at Lionhead

Lionhead Ridge
Lionhead Range
Code
SS-NC-R2-D2-O
Elevation
9000
Aspect Range
NE-N
Latitude
44.71450
Longitude
-111.31800
Notes

We saw two natural avalanches on 3/19/22 appeared to be within 24-48 hours old and triggered by cornice falls that broke out a slab below. One on Northeast aspect at 8,800' on Lionhead Ridge, and one on North aspect at 10,000' behind Targhee Creek.

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Cornice fall
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
12.0 inches
Vertical Fall
700ft
Slab Width
50.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

We saw this natural avalanche on 3/19/22 appeared to be within 24 hours old and triggered by cornice fall that broke out a slab below. Northeast aspect at 8,800' on Lionhead Ridge. Photo: GNFAC

Lionhead Range, 2022-03-19

Skier triggered and caught in slide above Lava Lake

Lava Lake
Northern Madison
Code
SS-ASu-R1-D1.5
Elevation
8000
Aspect
N
Latitude
45.37650
Longitude
-111.24600
Notes

Skier triggered slide on north-facing slopes above Lava Lake. Skier was caught, but not buried.

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/pRW5XvtBY6E 

Number of slides
1
Number caught
1
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
1
D size
1.5
Problem Type
New Snow
Slab Thickness
6.0 inches
Vertical Fall
50ft
Slab Width
25.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year