Lionhead Range

Instability in the Lionhead Range

Date
Activity
Skiing

Widespread wumfing between 7,000 - 8,700ft. in Targhee Creek. (12/15)

No natural slides observed.

Crazy large surface hoar also observed on open, southerly clearings, measured 1+ cm. Very rotten snowpack otherwise.

Region
Lionhead Range
Location (from list)
LIONHEAD AREA
Observer Name
E. Webb

Naturals avalanches in Lionhead

LIONHEAD AREA
Lionhead Range
Code
R2-D1.5
Latitude
44.72920
Longitude
-111.32300
Notes

Two natural avalanches observed near Lionhead on 12/15 and another two observed by a separate group on 12/14. All occurred well below the high ridgelines and likely broke several days earlier. 

From obs:"We rode up Denny Creek towards Watkins Creek and spent the day below the ridge where we saw two natural avalanches. These avalanches broke 12-18" deep on weak faceted snow above a stiff crust. The first avalanche presumably happened sometime near the end of the last storm cycle (12/11), as it had a few inches of snow on the debris. The second was more recent, in the last 24-36 hours. Both were at 8500' and were on NE and E-facing slopes. "

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
R size
2
D size
1.5
Images
Lower Lionhead Avalanche
Old avalanche debris below Bald Peak
Attached Videos
Lower Elevation Avalanches, Lionhead - 15 Dec 2023
Snow Observation Source
Observations and Naturals in Lionhead
Surface Hoar and Instability in Lionhead
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year
23-24

Natural avalanche in Lionhead that happened near the end of the last storm cycle (12/11) Photo: GNFAC

Avalanche Details: Naturals avalanches in Lionhead
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Dec 16, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Dec 17, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Dec 18, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Dec 22, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Dec 23, 2023
Lionhead Range, 2023-12-15
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    • Observations and Naturals in Lionhead

    Date
    Activity
    Snowmobiling

    We rode up Denny Creek towards Watkins Creek and spent the day below the ridge where we saw two natural avalanches. These avalanches broke 12-18" deep on weak faceted snow above a stiff crust. The first avalanche presumably happened sometime near the end of the last storm cycle (12/11), as it had a few inches of snow on the debris. The second was more recent, in the last 24-36 hours. Both were at 8500' and were on NE and E-facing slopes. 

    We dug two snow pits near these avalanches and saw propagation in both on a layer of weak sugary snow buried about a foot deep (ECTP13 & ECTP12). Across the area surface hoar was easy to find on the snow surface. 

    Region
    Lionhead Range
    Location (from list)
    LIONHEAD AREA
    Observer Name
    Zach Peterson

    Avalanche Debris on Bald Peak

    Lionhead Range
    Code
    SS-N
    Aspect
    E
    Latitude
    44.71450
    Longitude
    -111.31800
    Notes

    Skiers in Lionhead saw old debris below Bald Peak on Wednesday, 12/13. This avalanche likely broke late last week, 12/7.

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    Images
    Old avalanche debris below Bald Peak
    Snow Observation Source
    Surface Hoar and Instability in Lionhead
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    23-24
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