24-25

Wet loose activity in Mill Creek

Date

Just chiming in to report widespread wet loose activity on solar aspects between 6000 and 9500 feet in the Mill Creek area of the Absarokas - rollerballs started around 11am. Some big wet sluffs were releasing near cliff bands shortly thereafter. Felt like mid/late April.

Region
Out of Advisory Area
Location (from list)
Other place
Observer Name
T Benson

Rider triggered slide at Cabin Creek

Cabin Creek
Southern Madison
Code
AM
Elevation
9000
Aspect
N
Latitude
44.86480
Longitude
-111.22000
Notes

From IG message: "Getting word that a group triggered a decent slide today out at cabin creek. I’ll attach the coordinates to the general area, to the best of my knowledge.

44.86484, -111.22023

No burials. They were able to outride if. But thought I’d send coordinates in case you guys were gonna be in the area and wanted to check it out."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Snowmobile
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Rider triggered slide at Cabin Creek

Date

From IG message: "Getting word that a group triggered a decent slide today out at cabin creek. I’ll attach the coordinates to the general area, to the best of my knowledge.

44.86484, -111.22023

No burials. They were able to outride if. But thought I’d send coordinates in case you guys were gonna be in the area and wanted to check it out."

Region
Southern Madison
Location (from list)
Cabin Creek

Republic Creek, east facing 9400'. HS 250, ECTX

Date
Activity
Skiing

Snowpit attached from an east aspect at 9400', south of Cooke City today.

HS 250 cms, with the Feb. 3rd dust layer about 100cms from the surface.  EXTX.

Below the dust layer there were 1mm rounding facets, that were 1F hard.

No avalanche activity observed, with LOTS of looking around.  No collapsing, no cracking.

Temps around 40F in the valley, but minimal wet loose activity observed so far.  The warmup has been gradual the last 2 days, with good freezes at night.

Also, there was a wolverine up on the mountain this morning!

Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
COOKE CITY
Observer Name
B. Fredlund

Example of wet snow

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

Riding in this morning, we saw this older wet slide on the Portal Creek road down low at about 6400' in elevation on a south facing slope by lots of exposed rocks. For reference, Gallatin River is 5800' in this area.

We didn't see any fresh ones on our way out at about 2:30. 

The most likely places for big wet slides are slopes or areas with exposed rocks and cliffs. Generally these wet slides happen a little predictably in the afternoon as the snow gets wet. We know what time of day they'll happen, but it's hard to know exactly when they'll release, so watch out when the snow is obviously wet if traveling under slopes like this. 
 

You don't need to worry about them in the morning, when the snow is frozen. What a nasty avalanche with sticks, rocks, and dirt in it?

Region
Northern Gallatin
Location (from list)
Portal Creek
Observer Name
Staples and Gidley