22-23
The Playground, Texas Meadow
We skied around Wolverine Bowl, the Playground, and Texas Meadows.There were 2-3” of new and wind drifted snow. The winds were gusting 15-20 mph and transporting the new snow. We dug in the Playground at 8,000’ on a N facing aspect, the new snow was moving on the old wind slab (ECTN 1), and the wind slab about 1 foot below the surface did not propagate (ECTN13). The unsupportable wind slab in the playground sent us over to Texas Meadows, and we dug at 7,800’ on the NE aspect. We did not see the wind slab here, and we got an ECTP 26 in the facets near the ground (3’ below the surface). It will take a lot more snow and wind to reactivate this layer. Looking forward to tomorrow the new and wind drifted snow is the biggest concern in the Bridgers--especially in complex avalanche terrain and along the ridgeline.
Cornice fall triggered slide to ground
Observed this cornice fall triggered slide morning of 1/19/23. It was not there the previous morning which was sunny and clear. Photo: GNFAC
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Jan 23, 2023GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Jan 24, 2023
Skier triggered and natural wind slabs in Cooke
Skier triggered wind slab, Wyoming Bowl near Big Sky
From Big Sky Ski Patrol 1/21/23: "skier triggered a surface wind slab in Wyoming Bowl that broke 8-12” deep. It propagated to an estimated 150’ wide- SS, R1/D1.5... The slide was small, no one was hurt, and the avalanche was reported (which we appreciate), with no further public involvement other than the trigger."
From Big Sky Ski Patrol 1/21/23: "skier triggered a surface wind slab in Wyoming Bowl that broke 8-12” deep. It propagated to an estimated 150’ wide- SS, R1/D1.5... The slide was small, no one was hurt, and the avalanche was reported (which we appreciate), with no further public involvement other than the trigger."
Natural avalanche in Flanders cirque
Bad quality but a D2, R3 natural in Flanders cirque. Looked like it was just the new snow, but hard to say.... on a NW aspect around 9,500 feet