Photos

We triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets. Photo: GNFAC

We triggered a small soft slab avalanche on a south facing aspect around 7800'. This avalanche broke in a wind drift, 4" deep in low density new snow, likely on a sun crust or near-surface facets. Photo: GNFAC

Shooting crack in a fresh wind slab near Mt Jefferson

North facing pit in Hellroaring Creek, Centennials

North facing snow profile Hellroaring Creek, Centennials

South facing snowpit Hellroaring creek, Centennials

S facing snow profile from Hellroaring Creek in Centennials

We skied to the top of Mt. Ellis via the ridge from the north. There was light wind on the ridge, otherwise calm. Snowing steadily this morning and tapered off by noon-1pm with skies clearing after noon. There were 2-4" of low density new snow. We dug a pit off the ridgeline on a northeast facing slope at 7,800' and one pit at the top of the burned slope, east facing at 8,100'. Profiles attached.

The first pit had an ECTX and the second had propagation with extra force. There were 2mm facets 30cm off the ground in both pits which were slightly softer in the higher pit. Snow depth was 3-4 feet up high and around 2 feet lower in the thicker trees and along the trails.

Strong winds transporting snow on Saddle Peak. Photo: BBSP 

Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

Observed a fresh slide on the north side of Mt Blackmore, crown was already filling in, but looked to be a foot or two deep in steep rocky terrain to the skiers left of the north couloir. Photo: S Jonas

Lots of snow moving around in Hyalite this morning! Strong winds were moving snow at/above treeline, Lee aspects getting loaded. Photo S Jonas

Saw cracking of cornices on the ridgeline NE of Mount Blackmore. Just a little nudge released a significant portion. Photo: T Miller 

Natural avalanche spotted from the air on Red Mountain, just west of Ernest Miller Ridge

Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker

On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.

The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School. 

USFS Snow rangers commuting to and from West Yellowstone noticed a human-triggered avalanche across the Gallatin River from Bacon Rind. Photo: K. Marvinney