20-21

Meldrum Peak Natural Avalanche

Specimen Creek
Southern Gallatin
Code
SS-N-R2-D2
Latitude
45.02650
Longitude
-111.04800
Notes

From obs on 2/1: "Got lots of whumphs, probably 20+. Saw an avalanche on the west face of Meldrum, looked to be a few days old, but probably R2D2."

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Images
Big Horn Peak
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
20-21

From Obs: "Skied up near Big Horn Peak today, around 100cm HS, a bit unsupportable and thin down low. Got lots of whumphs, probably 20+. Saw an avalanche on the west face of Meldrum, looked to be a few days old, but probably R2D2." Photo: S Jonas

Avalanche Details: Meldrum Peak Natural Avalanche
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 2, 2021
Southern Gallatin, 2021-02-02
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    • Snowmobiler triggered avalanche, Lionhead

    LIONHEAD AREA
    Lionhead Range
    Code
    SS-AMu-R2-D2-O
    Elevation
    9400
    Aspect
    SE
    Latitude
    44.73100
    Longitude
    -111.38800
    Notes

    A snowmobiler triggered this avalanche, no one was caught. From the reporting party, "We were playing in the trees below the ridge and we climbed up to the left in that little meadow and that's when the slide broke to our right and propagated up. From what I can tell is it broke on two layers and it was approximately 100ft wide and ran 500ft. Debris piled up in the trees above the meadow we were playing in."

    Number of slides
    1
    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Snowmobile
    Trigger Modifier
    u-An unintentional release
    R size
    2
    D size
    2
    Bed Surface
    O - Old snow
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Slab Thickness
    30.0 inches
    Vertical Fall
    500ft
    Slab Width
    100.00ft
    Images
    Snowmobiler triggered avalanche_close
    Snowmobiler triggered avalanche_far
    Slab Thickness units
    inches
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Single Avalanche
    Advisory Year
    20-21

    Major avalanche cycle

    LIONHEAD AREA
    Lionhead Range
    Code
    SS-N
    Latitude
    44.72920
    Longitude
    -111.32300
    Notes

    From GNFAC field day on 2/1:

    Many natural avalanches were triggered by a large snowstorm that dropped 2 feet of snow on 1/29 and 1/30. The slides broke on numerous weak layers: under the snow, a surface hoar layer mid-pack and sugary facets at the ground ( depth hoar ).

    Number caught
    0
    Number buried
    0
    Avalanche Type
    Soft slab avalanche
    Trigger
    Natural trigger
    Problem Type
    Persistent Weak Layer
    Images
    Lionhead Snowpit Profile - 1 Feb
    Small avalanche at Lionhead
    Avalanche stepped down into deeper layers
    Avalanches near Targhee Peak at Lionhead
    Avalanche 2nd time this season on the same slope
    Avalanche on the bench below Lionhead Peak
    Airplane Bowl avalanche
    Panorama of Lionhead Ridge avalanches
    Avalanches on Lionhead Ridge
    Attached Videos
    Major Avalanche Cycle, Lionhead - 1 Feb
    Slab Thickness units
    centimeters
    Single / Multiple / Red Flag
    Multiple Avalanches
    Advisory Year
    20-21
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