22-23
Deep slab on Elephant Mtn.
Elephant Mountain
Northern Gallatin
Code
HS-R3-D3-O
Elevation
9800
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.44210
Longitude
-110.98600
Notes
Large avalanche seen in the Bunny Ears on Elephant Mtn in Hyalite. Deepest part of crown estimated to be 8-10'. Observed by two parties on 3/23/23. Unsure on exact timing of the avalanche, but likely was between 3/22 and 3/23. An ice climber had a photo of the slope from the afternoon of 3/22 and the slide had not happened yet. Unknown trigger. On the evening of 3/23, a group of skiers saw multiple other tracks on slopes above and adjacent to the crown, but unsure if those triggered it or turned around after seeing the crown.
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
R size
3
D size
3
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
72.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1100ft
Slab Width
500.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Saw this very large avalanche in NE face of Elephant this morning (3/23/23). Skiers left flank appears at a distance to be 8-10'. Photo: C. Babineau-Z
Natural on Lionhead Ridge
Lionhead Ridge
Lionhead Range
Code
HS-N-R3-D2.5-O
Elevation
8900
Aspect
NE
Latitude
44.71180
Longitude
-111.31300
Notes
Natural avalanche on Lionhead Ridge estimated date 2/21/23.
From obs: "Bowl after the climb up Denny Creek. The runout area is the first big downhill on the trail that follows the bottom of the ridge. Best guess is 24-48 hours old. Extremely deep runout."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
3
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
750ft
Slab Width
300.00ft
Images
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Bowl after the climb up Denny Creek. The runout area is the first big downhill on the trail that follows the bottom of the ridge. Best guess is 24-48 hours old. Extremely deep runout. 3/23/23 Photo: B. Ramage
Avalanche Details: Natural on Lionhead Ridge
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Mar 24, 2023
Lionhead Range, 2023-03-24
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Mar 24, 2023
Toured around beehive peak today. Viewed 1 older large avalanche and other smaller slides. All were north to east aspects
Avalanche Details: Old deep slab in Spanish creek.
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Mar 24, 2023
Northern Madison, 2023-03-23
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Mar 24, 2023
Old deep slab in Spanish creek.
Beehive Peak
Northern Madison
Code
HS-R3-D3.5-O
Aspect Range
N-E
Latitude
45.35390
Longitude
-111.40500
Notes
From Obs: "Toured around beehive peak today. Viewed 1 older large avalanche and other smaller slides. All were north to east aspects"
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
R size
3
D size
3.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Images
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
Springtime in the Bridgers
Date
Activity
Skiing
Snowmobiling
We dug two pits on the Throne today, and we had an ECTX in each pit. One pit was on a north facing slope at 8,400' with 4.5' of snow (HS=136). There are weak layers in the bottom half of this pit. The second pit was south facing at 8,400' with 6' of snow (HS=180cm). In the south facing snowpit we found buried weak layers 1.5' below the surface, and there were facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Despite the spring like temperatures today, the south facing snowpit was dry throughout. We saw the top couple of inches of snow getting wet by late afternoon (~1400), but we did not see any avalanche activity from the warmup. The buried weak layers were not a concern today, but they could be this weekend with more snow on the way.
Region
Bridger Range
Location (from list)
The Throne
Observer Name
Ian Hoyer, Alex Haddad