This is Ian Hoyer with pre-season avalanche, weather and event information for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center on Wednesday, October 20th. This information is sponsored by The Friends of the Avalanche Center.
Change is coming. The beautiful fall weather we’ve been basking in is coming to an end. A pattern shift will occur this weekend. Expect colors in the mountains to shift from green and gold to white. For current weather data check our weather stations in Cooke City, Hyalite, Lionhead and our new station on Sawtelle Peak near Island Park, ID., as well as Bridger Bowl’s weather stations, and SNOTEL sites throughout our advisory area. As snow begins to fall we’ll update the Weather and Avalanche Log daily and issue pre-season bulletins as needed.
All Regions
Before your first day on the snow, whether you chase the first storm or wait until there is a solid base, take time to ensure your avalanche rescue gear is working properly and refresh your avalanche skills with a class or two. See our education calendar for an up to date list of all local classes.
As soon as snow starts to accumulate avalanches will become possible. Avalanches this time of year are not uncommon, and have injured and killed people in past seasons (accident reports). Starting this weekend, if you plan to travel in the backcountry, whether skiing, climbing or hunting, prepare for avalanches like you would mid-winter.
- Carry a beacon, shovel and probe at a minimum. Helmets are a necessity as well.
- Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain (all snow covered slopes steeper than 30*).
- Avoid steep slopes with fresh drifts of snow, especially where even a small slide could push you into rocks or trees or pile up deep in a confined gully.
- Cracking and collapsing of the snow are bulls-eye information that the snow is unstable, and clear signs to avoid steep slopes.
- As the snow piles up it is a good idea to dig to see the layers below the recent snow. Avoid steep slopes if you find weak, sugary snow underneath new snow or drifted snow.
We are preparing for winter, setting up weather stations and beginning to collect snowpack information. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share. Please submit them via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
Read accident reports from previous early season accidents before you venture to the snowy hills. This accident report from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range, and this report from the tragic fatality five years ago in early October are reminders of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche.