The debris from the slide in Argentina Bowl broke mature trees and gouged the landscape. This slide propagated hundreds of yards wide and ran nearly full track. Photo GNFAC
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GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Mar 21, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
It has snowed every day for the last eight days in the southern mountains and seven out of those eight days in the northern ranges. The snow pipeline is shut off, but loading continues from the wind at all elevations. We have a weak, unstable snowpack and the current wind-loading will keep slopes poised to avalanche. The snowpack has not caught her breath yet. She is still adjusting to this new load. And remember, no matter what you find in your snowpits, stability tests always take a back seat to avalanche activity which is bulls-eye data that slopes are unstable.
Photo by Pat Clayton.
Numerous large and destructive hard slab avalanches released naturally overnight. The Football Field to the north of Saddle Peak was at least 4-5 feet deep. These avalanches broke near the ground on facets. Photo: N. Hillenbrand
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Wed Mar 21, 2012
The crown of the football field avalanche stopped right at the south boundary of the Bridger Bowl Ski Area. This slope has traditionally been very popular becuase it is next to the boundary and seems safe when the reality is that it is drastically different. Photo: A. Marienthal
This avalanche happened sometime Monday (3/19) night or very early Tuesday (3/20) morning. The debris ran far into the relatively flat terrain below the cliffs. The powder cloud/air blast shook large mature trees and blew the snow off their limbs. Photo: GNFAC
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 20, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The southern Gallatin Range, southern Madison Range and the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone: