This small soft slab is a good example of the main avalanache problem we're dealing with. Wind loaded slopes below ridgelines are likley areas to find this type of problem. Photo GNFAC
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Yesterday, Mark rode in the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and found generally stable conditions. He found recently formed wind drifts to be well bonded to the underlying snow surface. This is consistent with the conditions I found in McAtee Basin on Thursday.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
This is the main avalanche problem: avalanches involving wind slabs and new snow. This slide is not too big, maybe 1 foot deep, and did not propagate very wide. Carefully choose slopes based on their ronout zones. Superimpose this slide over other places. It could easily bury a person if it runs into a gully or cause trauma if it pushes you over rocks. Photo: B. Fredlund
Cornices present a few different problems. First - They can break back farther than you might expect. This problem needs to be considered when traveling along ridgelines. Second - slopes below cornices are often heavily wind loaded. Staying off of slopes below cornices is always a good idea. Photo GNFAC
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
A recent picture of last week's avalanche activity on the west side of the Bridger Range. Photo: Anonymous
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Some days avalanche forecasting is difficult, other days it’s easy. Today is an easy one. Strong ridgetop winds have created wind slabs, which is our main avalanche problem. These wind-blown, soft slabs of snow do not extend far down the slope and any avalanches will likely be small, shallow and confined to the ridgelines. The danger lies not in the size of the slide, but in the nasty ride over cliffs, into gulleys or against trees.
