21-22

<p>Avalanches are unlikely across the advisory area. It has been 7 days since the last significant snowfall. As Alex saw yesterday in a tour around the southern Madison Range, this break in loading has allowed the weak layers at the ground to gain strength and wind drifted snow at the surface to bond to the snow beneath (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdv_14BacQU"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;). This does not mean it is impossible to trigger a slide. While generally unlikely, there may still be spots where you could trigger an avalanche. Be on the search for signs of instability and ready to retreat to mellower terrain&nbsp; if you find them. Dig in the snow to double check that you haven’t found an isolated area where the weak layers at the ground remain weak and ready to avalanche. Look for pockets of wind drifted snow that for some reason haven’t bonded well, especially if you’re planning on traveling in high consequence terrain where even a small slide would be a big problem. Strong winds have built large cornices (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/large-cornices-buck-ridge"><stron…;). Give them a wide berth if you’re traveling on ridgelines above them because they can break off further back than you expect.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cover your bases by only exposing one person at a time to steep slopes and making sure everyone in your party is carrying rescue gear and knows how to use it.</p>

<p>The avalanche danger is LOW.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>