24-25

I went skate skiing up Sourdough Canyon today. The trail intersects many south and southwest-facing avalanche terrains that generally do not have much snow coverage due to their exposure to the sun. 

However, the snowpack is much deeper than normal in the Gallatin Valley and in the low-elevation mountains around the Valley, and these slopes make me nervous, especially because they would impact a trail that sees heavy use by people who do not intend to expose themselves to avalanches and who are not prepared for avalanche rescue. 

I went skate skiing up Sourdough Canyon today. The trail intersects many south and southwest-facing avalanche terrains that generally do not have much snow coverage due to their exposure to the sun. 

However, the snowpack is much deeper than normal in the Gallatin Valley and in the low-elevation mountains around the Valley, and these slopes make me nervous, especially because they would impact a trail that sees heavy use by people who do not intend to expose themselves to avalanches and who are not prepared for avalanche rescue. 

Photo: GNFAC

Saw this small soft slab above Round Lake today. SE facing, 9500 ft. Likely skier triggered, there were lots of ski tracks on that hill. 
 

Poor visibility today but no other avalanches observed. 

I went skate skiing up Sourdough Canyon today. The trail intersects a significant amount of south and southwest-facing avalanche terrain that generally does not have much snow coverage due to exposure to the sun. 

However, the snowpack is much deeper than normal in the Gallatin Valley and in the low-elevation mountains around the Valley, and these slopes make me nervous, especially because they would impact a trail that sees heavy use by people who do not intend to expose themselves to avalanches and who are not prepared for avalanche rescue. 

Currently, 2.5 to 4 feet of snow is in the terrain near the trail. 

These slopes WILL probably avalanche when: 

• We get the first sunny, warm day. 

They MIGHT avalanche when: 

• We get another big storm.
• People or animals traverse or choose to ski above the trail and inadvertently trigger a slide.

What you should do: 

• Recognize that ALL steep, snow-covered terrain (30 degrees plus) has avalanche potential.
• If you choose to recreate in abnormal locations, there may be abnormal considerations and consequences--there are families, kids, and dogs below you.
• SO, Be cautious and respectful of other users. One good way to do this is to AVOID traveling in avalanche terrain above unsuspecting travelers. 

Feb 7 We saw a couple storm slabs that broke in today's snow 4-6" deep, 10-30' wide, and we triggered one 3-4" deep wind slab, "remotely", from a few feet back on a small ridgeline. R2-D1. These slabs were very soft, F- to F hard. Photo: GNFAC

Feb 7 We saw a couple storm slabs that broke in today's snow 4-6" deep, 10-30' wide, and we triggered one 3-4" deep wind slab, "remotely", from a few feet back on a small ridgeline. R2-D1. These slabs were very soft, F- to F hard. Photo: GNFAC

We rode below the Throne and towards Fairy Lake, mostly at elevations 6,800-7,500'. It snowed steady S1-2 most of the day and tapered off in the afternoon. Wind was a stout moderate out of the east and south in the parking lot. Wind was light to moderate out of the south up higher/"mid-mountain". There was a brief clearing mid-day and we could see the bowl and ridge south of Naya Nuki.

We saw a couple storm slabs that broke in today's snow 4-6" deep, 10-30' wide, and we triggered one 3-4" deep wind slab, "remotely", from a few feet back on a small ridgeline. R2-D1. These slabs were very soft, F- to F hard.

The interface below this week's storm was generally well bonded to the surface below and lacked a weak layer from the recent high pressure. I would not totally rule out the potential of something breaking wider on a weak layer because we did not get a good look at higher elevations, but so far it seems less likely to have a persistent slab problem involving a layer below this week's snow in the Bridgers as compared to other parts of our forecast area.