Photos of what appears like a wet slab possibly from Friday (4/26) when the precip. started after the first night or two of poor freeze (Henderson Bench). Photo GNFAC
Avalanche Details: Wet slabs near Cooke City/Silver Gate
Cooke City, 2024-04-29
23-24
Photos of what appear like wet slabs possibly from Friday (4/26) when the precip. started after the first night or two of poor freeze (North side of Republic near Cooke City). Photo GNFAC
Avalanche Details: Wet slabs near Cooke City/Silver Gate
Cooke City, 2024-04-29
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 29, 2024
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Over the next few days avalanches will primarily involve the recent snow and more snow that falls. Avalanches could range from fresh slabs of wind-drifted snow to wet-loose avalanches. Watch for blowing snow at ridgelines and cracking around your feet or skis as a sign that fresh, unstable drifts exist. If there is sunshine the new snow will quickly become moist and easily slide on sunny, steep slopes. Avalanches could be large, especially where there is more new snow, but even small slides can easily catch and carry you. Minimize exposure to terrain traps like cliffs, rocky outcrops and trees.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On Friday there were natural wet slab avalanches near Cooke City (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31908"><span><span><span><strong><span…;), and skiers in Beehive Basin experienced loud collapses on a wet and unsupportable snowpack (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31904"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). I skied north of Cooke City the last couple days, and on Saturday found wet unsupportable snow up to 10,000’ (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31921"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). Large wet slabs, and wet-loose avalanches deeper than the new snow, are not as likely the next few days due to light freezes the last couple nights and cold temperatures in the forecast. However, there is uncertainty of how well the snowpack froze below the new snow, and conditions could change quickly if there is more sunshine and warmth than expected. If you find a wet unsupportable snowpack, or the sun comes out and starts to melt the snow surface, seek lower angle or colder slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Lower elevations are showing dirt and grass, but snow in the mountains means avalanches are possible. Remain diligent with careful snowpack assessment and route-finding, and carry proper avalanche rescue gear. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The variable and quickly changing spring weather creates a mix of avalanche concerns to watch for. The snowpack can change drastically from day to day, throughout the day, and across different aspects and elevations. Carefully evaluate the snowpack throughout the day, and have alternate plans in case you find unstable snow. See below for general spring snowpack and travel advice.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Give Big Gallatin Valley is May 2-3, 2024.
On May 2-3, please support the excellent non-profits of Gallatin County, including the Friends of the Avalanche Center (GNFAC Giving Page HERE
Wet snow and new snow
Date
Activity
Skiing
Skied north of Cooke City the last couple days ( Sat. 4/27 and Sun. 4/28), near Lulu Pass and Henderson Mtn.. Yesterday there was 2-3" of moist new snow, and the snowpack below had not refrozen up to 9500-10k', it was very wet and unsupportable below the new snow. Moderate east wind yesterday drifted the new snow into small slabs up high.
Today there was 1-2" new snow on top of a thin, breakable crust around 9,000', with wet unsupportable snow below the crust. The crust softened quickly in any sunshine midday. Pulses of heavy snow mixed with periods of partial sunshine and calm-light wind.
Saw only small slabs crack beneath skis along the ridge yesterday, and minimal wet snow avalanche activity. Despite minimal observed avalanche activity, it seemed like a skier or rider could trigger a larger wet avalanche, especially on slopes that received sunshine.
Photos attached of what appear like wet slabs possibly from Friday when the precip. started after the first night or two of poor freeze (North side of Republic, and Henderson Bench).
Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
Lulu Pass
Observer Name
Alex Marienthal
Wet slide in Mission Creek
Out of Advisory Area
Code
WL-N
Notes
"We toured to Elephanthead Mountain today (4/27/24). Most of the couloirs emptying into Mission Creek (e.g. Das Ist Ice, Pitchfork Couloirs) showed signs of recent, large scale wet slides. Higher on the mountain, we observed fairly recent avalanche debris and crowns of 4-5 feet. On our descent of Mission Creek, we crossed large, wet slide debris fields that buried our earlier skin track (see pic). Our decision was to stick to low angle terrain and to steer clear of runout zones of any couloirs."
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Problem Type
Wet Snow
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
"We toured to Elephanthead Mountain today (4/27/24). Most of the couloirs emptying into Mission Creek (e.g. Das Ist Ice, Pitchfork Couloirs) showed signs of recent, large scale wet slides. Higher on the mountain, we observed fairly recent avalanche debris and crowns of 4-5 feet. On our descent of Mission Creek, we crossed large, wet slide debris fields that buried our earlier skin track (see pic). Our decision was to stick to low angle terrain and to steer clear of runout zones of any couloirs." Photo: T. Kalakay
Avalanche Details: Wet slide in Mission Creek
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 29, 2024
Out of Advisory Area, 2024-04-28
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Mon Apr 29, 2024
Wall Mountain
Date
Region
Cooke City
Location (from list)
Republic Mountain
Observer Name
Steve
Weather and Avalanche Log for Sun Apr 28, 2024
Rain below 7500-8000' the last 3 days.
Wet slides galore in Mission Creek, Northern Absaroka Range
Date
Activity
Skiing
We toured to Elephanthead Mountain today (4/27/24). Most of the couloirs emptying into Mission Creek (e.g. Das Ist Ice, Pitchfork Couloirs) showed signs of recent, large scale wet slides. Higher on the mountain, we observed fairly recent avalanche debris and crowns of 4-5 feet. On our descent of Mission Creek, we crossed large, wet slide debris fields that buried our earlier skin track (see pic). Our decision was to stick to low angle terrain and to steer clear of runout zones of any couloirs.
Region
Out of Advisory Area
Observer Name
Tom Kalakay