GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Dec 29, 2020

Moderate avalanche danger does not signify safe avalanche conditions and it is not a green light to enter steep terrain (avalanche danger scale). This is especially true with weak snowpack structures like the one existing in the mountains from Lionhead through the Bridger Range. Yesterday, a skier triggered a small avalanche at base of the cliffs on the east face of Mount Blackmore, I triggered numerous collapses or “whumphs” with associated cracking in the Taylor Fork and others reported “monster whumphs” that shook the snow out of small trees at Bacon Rind (avalanche details, photo). This adds to a growing list of avalanche activity and red flags since Christmas Day that includes several large avalanches triggered by ski patrols during avalanche mitigation work, small natural avalanches, whumphs and a large, skier triggered avalanche on Saddle Peak (avalanche activity log, details). Without new snow or wind-loading, the chances of triggering avalanches go down. People could ride and ski in steep terrain today and “get away with it” but this is not an advisable path to follow where persistent weak layers exist. Watch our video from Lionhead to learn more about how we are thinking about the avalanche problem that exists in the mountains from West Yellowstone to Bozeman (video).

Recent avalanche activity, cracking, “whumphing” and extended column tests that propagate failure are all indicators to avoid steep terrain. Heed the signals mother nature provides. Today, human triggered avalanches are possible and the danger is rated MODERATE.

The foundation of the snowpack in Cooke City is generally strong. Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep terrain within recent and wind-drifted snow. Numerous human and natural avalanches occurred during and immediately following last week’s snow and wind, but without widespread weak layers in the snowpack, these storm layers are stabilizing (video, photo, avalanche activity log). We are not out of the woods yet as climbers outside Cooke City triggered a collapse yesterday, but we are on a good trend until the next storm arrives.

Search for instabilities within the upper few feet of the snowpack before entering steep terrain (video). If you find them, move to a different slope. Human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger in Cooke City is MODERATE.

If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).