19-20

<p>The mountains last received snow four days ago. The snowpack has had time to adjust to the 4-6 feet of snow that fell since February 1^st. This snow equaled 4.4-5.7” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a> (SWE) which increased the season’s snowpack water content by 25-45%&nbsp;and caused widespread natural and human triggered avalanches. Triggering a deep slab avalanche is getting more difficult, but still possible. It has been five days since a deep slab avalanche broke on weak sugary snow near the base of the snowpack (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/naturals-north-flathead-pass">pho…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-avalanche-near-flathead-p…;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-avalanches-wilson">photo<…;), but we continue to get reports and take inventory of the recent carnage which warrants cautious travel.</p>

<p>Yesterday skiers near Emigrant peak in the Absarokas reported widespread old avalanche crowns (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22202">details and photos</a></strong>). Doug visited the huge avalanche near Maid of the Mist in Hyalite and said, “it is as big as it gets” (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a17oTfiLCyc&amp;feature=youtu.be">video…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22177">details and photos</a></strong>). He measured an alpha angle of 16 degrees, the lowest he has seen in North America. (A lower alpha angle means a farther runout distance (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22177">photo</a></strong&gt;).</p>

<p>Yesterday was a sunny Saturday without a report of a human triggered or fresh natural avalanche. This is a good sign, but I’m cautious of the deep buried weak layers and wouldn’t center punch any steep mountains (e.g., Saddle Peak, Mt. Blackmore). Browse the <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">avalanche activity</a></strong></u> on our website to see where recent avalanches occurred and avoid similar terrain. Recent activity was widespread across all aspects and elevations. Deep slab avalanches broke in and below narrow rocky chutes, and through sparsely treed hillsides. I mention these features because we (skiers) sometimes feel safer and better about stability here which is a false sense of security. Carefully consider stability and consequences of an avalanche on any slope steeper than 30 degrees.</p>

<p>Today it is possible to trigger avalanches many feet deep on weak sugary snow near the bottom of the snowpack. Choose routes that minimize exposure to avalanche terrain (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDJHoXSKvg&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). Avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong>.</p>

<p>The southern Madison Range, southern Gallatin Range and Lionhead area near West Yellowstone received no snow in the last five days, and since February 1^st got 3-4 feet of snow equal to 2.8-4.1” of SWE. The snowpack handled it better than the rest of the advisory area. The last reported avalanche was a week ago in Taylor Fork, triggered by a snowbiker and broke on sugary snow near the ground (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/22074">details</a></strong></u&gt;). Doug and Ian rode into Cabin Creek last Wednesday under clear skies and didn’t see any avalanches. They dug multiple pits and found a generally stable snowpack (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IzNvRo0R3w&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). Today avalanches are unlikely and danger is LOW.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an&nbsp;<u><strong><a href="https://mtavalanche.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6653a830e4819c9e…; target="_blank">observation form</a></strong></u>, email us (<u><strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com&quot; target="_blank">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong></u>), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>