GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Mon Feb 27, 2012
The Bridger Range, the Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
A large natural slide occurred on Saddle Peak Saturday night (2-25). This slide propagated across the ridge that many consider to be the safest route down. Photo: R. Elliott
Saddle Peak slid naturally sometime before sunrise today (Feb 26). Photo: K. Birkeland
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 28, 2012
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 26, 2012
The Bridger Range, the southern Madison and southern Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
Yesterday, 6-8 inches of snow fell in under eight hours, applying a rapid load to a weak and fragile snowpack. This new load will likely push the snowpack past its breaking point, producing widespread natural activity. If slopes are failing naturally, there is little chance they will support the weight of a skier or rider.
When the avalanche broke in Wolverine, other slopes adjacent to it fractured as well. This one was about 100ft South of the main fracture. Photo: S. Schmidt
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 28, 2012
Crown face of the avalanche in Wolverine Bowl. Photo: S. Schmidt
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Mon Feb 27, 2012
This slide occurred in Wolverine Bowl north of Bridger Bowl. It was a natural avalanche sometime before dawn on 24 Feb and broke on facets near the ground. Heavy snow and strong winds have put a tremendous amount of stress on a very weak snowpack producing natural and human triggered avalanches in the Bridger Range. Photo Graham Turnage
This is the view of the south summit of Saddle Peak. The skier was flushed doen the left hand gully. She sustained a broken arm and leg injuries and was only partially buried. Photo: T. Thesing