24-25

natural loose snow slides in Bridgers

Bridger Peak
Bridger Range
Code
L-N-R1-D1.5
Elevation
8500
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.77010
Longitude
-110.94000
Notes

Observed multiple D1-1.5 natural dry loose avalanches (and some tiny wind slab pockets under the ridge cornice) that likely occurred during peak warming around 2-3 PM. North/sheltered aspects from ~9- 8.5k held an average of 8+ inches of dry, drifted snow. Early AM to mid-afternoon, very active wind transport followed by tapered winds and a rapid increase in temp.

Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1.5
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Natural wind slabs and loose snow near Cooke

Henderson Mountain
Cooke City
Code
Latitude
45.05240
Longitude
-109.94500
Notes

We saw a couple 3-6" deep natural wind slab avalanches and a few dry loose slides that looked to have happened within the last 24 hours. On southerly slopes below 9,000' there were some wet loose slides from yesterday afternoon.

Number of slides
4
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Reactive wind slabs near Cooke City

Henderson Mountain
Cooke City
Code
HS-AS-R1-D1-S
Elevation
9800
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.05240
Longitude
-109.94500
Notes

Wind slabs were still reactive today. We triggered 3 small, 3-8" deep x 5-15' wide, hard wind (1F+) slabs on convex test slopes well below the main ridgelines. 9,800', NE aspects. Also triggered one softer (4F) wind slab just below the high ridgeline, 10,200', NE aspect. 10-15' wide x 6-8" deep.

Number of slides
4
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1
Bed Surface
S - Avalanche released within new snow
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Slab Thickness
8.0 inches
Vertical Fall
50ft
Slab Width
15.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Apr 5 Wind slabs were still reactive. We triggered 3 small, 3-8" deep x 5-15' wide, hard wind (1F+) slabs on convex test slopes well below the main ridgelines. 9,800', NE aspects. Photo: GNFAC

Cooke City, 2025-04-06

Apr 5 Wind slabs were still reactive. We triggered 3 small, 3-8" deep x 5-15' wide, hard wind (1F+) slabs on convex test slopes well below the main ridgelines. 9,800', NE aspects. Also triggered one softer (4F) wind slab just below the high ridgeline, 10,200', NE aspect. 10-15' wide x 6-8" deep (Pictured). Photo: GNFAC

Cooke City, 2025-04-06

Skier carried in wind slab on Naya Nuki

The Great One
Bridger Range
Code
AS-R1-D1.5
Elevation
9000
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.89260
Longitude
-110.96200
Notes

We went on a tour in the Bridgers today, we ascended the east ridge of Naya Nuki to the entrance of the Great One. Wind was blowing and we were being careful about potential wind slabs up high.

Skier 1 ski cut the top of the chute and produced a small wind slab that ran to the break in the chute and continued another 100 vert down the east apron. After all meeting up halfway down, skier 2 proceeded to ski the E facing apron. A wind slab propagated and carried skier 2 roughly 300 vert down the apron where skier 2 was able to swim out of the fall line and came to a rest on top of the debris. Everyone was okay aside two missing ski poles.

On the way out, we saw a few more small natural wind slabs that broke naturally near ridge lines as well as point and release wet slides.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1.5
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Vertical Fall
300ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Snowboarder triggered wet loose slide in Bridgers

Bridger Range
Code
L-AS-R1-D1.5
Elevation
8800
Aspect
E
Notes

A snowobarder tagged us in an IG story of triggering a long running, powerful wet loose slide in the Bridger Range.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1.5
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year

Skier triggered wind slab on Saddle

Saddle Peak
Bridger Range
Code
AS-R1-D1.5-I
Elevation
9000
Aspect
NE
Latitude
45.79430
Longitude
-110.93600
Notes

From BBSP: " At 2.45?pm a... solo skier triggered a wind loaded pocket on the main face of Saddle Peak that ran down over the cliff and produced an impressive powder cloud.... I met him... and confirm he was alone and no one was in front of him. The avalanche looked to be 2' deep on the southern flank and 5" deep on the northern flank... It entrained more snow on the way down, one 2' deep downhill wind loaded pocket and some loose wet snow. It ran into the bottom of the going home chute, gouging a large hole and then 100ft downhill left a 200ft by 30ft wide shallow debris pile."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Trigger
Skier
R size
1
D size
1.5
Bed Surface
I - Interface between new and old snow
Problem Type
Wind Slab
Slab Thickness
18.0 inches
Vertical Fall
1200ft
Slab Width
100.00ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year