The slope averaged 40 degrees steepness with a maximum angle of 45 degrees. The crown was up to three feet thick and also had 2 foot thick flanks which added a lot of snow into the gully. Photo: GNFAC
10-11
The crown was approximately 50 feet wide and broke 3 feet deep at its thickest spot. It tapered off to just a few inches deep at its northern end showing the extent of wind-loading in the gully. Photo: GNFAC
This is the upper few hundred feet of the avalanche path. Photo: GNFAC
Looking down the avalanche path a few hundred feet down from the crown. Photo: GNFAC
The victim's head was 5+ feet under the snow surface. The vertical fall distance from crown to burial spot was 1,100 feet--a very long distance, mostly through a terrain trap of a narrow gully with trees. Photo: GNFAC
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 15, 2011
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The Bridger Range, The Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:
A snowboarder was caught and killed in an avalanche on the west side of the Bridgers. The slide broke 2-3 feet deep and 40-50 feet wide on a wind-loaded hard slab at the gullies edges. He was buried under 5+ feet of snow. This picture is an apprioximate representation of the avalanche size. We will have more detailed information after our accident investigation on Tuesday, February 15. Photo: Randy Elliott
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Mon Feb 14, 2011
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The Bridger Range, The Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City and the Washburn Range: