23-24

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Strong winds have been blowing snow into thick drifts over an already unstable snowpack. Human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible, especially on wind-loaded slopes. On Friday, a rider near Cooke City triggered a large avalanche, was caught and luckily not buried or injured (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30998"><span><span><span><strong><span… City photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and a pair near Big Sky triggered two large avalanches from flat terrain nearby (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30994"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). Yesterday north of Cooke City, wind was actively forming thick drifts (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmhwDbpONLM&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSH326z…;), and we saw a recent avalanche that appeared natural or rider triggered in the previous 24 hours (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31016"><span><span><span><strong><span…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Recent avalanches show an unstable snowpack exists and will not improve with wind-loading today (and heavy snow tomorrow). We have seen steady avalanche activity since early January, even during times without new snow or wind (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span… and avalanche log</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep make up the foundation of the snowpack, and are as weak as we’ve seen. People can trigger large avalanches, potentially from flatter terrain below steep slopes. The best plan is to avoid riding on or below slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In the Bridger Range and northern Gallatin Range you can trigger a large avalanche that breaks 1-3 feet deep on weak sugary snow, and freshly wind-loaded slopes should be avoided. Although less snow over the last week means recent wind-loading is relatively minimal compared to the rest of the area, we can’t trust this season’s very weak snowpack with even the smallest addition of weight. Avalanches last weekend near </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30935"><span><span><span><strong><span… Peak</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30937"><span><span><span><strong><span… of Saddle Peak</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> in the Bridger Range, and on </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/30949"><span><span><span><strong><span…. Bole</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> in Hyalite are examples of the avalanche potential.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On non-wind-loaded slopes the likelihood of a slide is lower, but consequences are similar. Before traveling in avalanche terrain carefully assess the snowpack and identify areas to avoid. Choose smaller, simple slopes with clean runouts and no wind-loading. Avoid wind-loaded slopes, and complex terrain with terrain traps such as cliffs, trees or confined gullies. As a final check before committing to steep slopes, do a quick stability test. Look for signs of instability and be ready to change plans if you see any red flags. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded slopes and MODERATE on non-wind-loaded slopes in the mountains near Bozeman.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Watch </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD42TrROj7k&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSH326z…’s video from the Throne</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>and </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On68EbgLFbM&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSH326z…’s video from Hyalite</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> for more travel and snowpack assessment tips during these conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>