Regional Conditions for Northern Madison

as of 5:00 am

Oct 18	2″ \| 15-35 SW
Oct 17	0″ \| 25-45 SW
Oct 16	0″ \| 20-30 SW

Timberline Station

9400′ 10/19 at 1:00

18 ℉
W - 10 mph, Gusts 24
-6999 " New

Lone Mountain SNOTEL

8880′ 10/19 at 1:00

21℉
5″ Depth

Bottom Line: The expected snow and wind through the weekend will increase the chances of triggering an avalanche. Slopes that were dirt prior to the storm will not become dangerous with the new snow, but slopes above 8000’ harboring older snow will have the potential to slide. Slopes with dense, wind-loaded snow are inviting to ski and easy to ascend on skins or foot, however, freshly formed drifts will also be the most susceptible to avalanche.

Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow

Full Forecast

Past 5 Days

Thu May 2

None

Thu Sep 26

None

Thu Oct 3

None

Thu Oct 10

None

Thu Oct 17

None

Avalanche Activity- Northern Madison

2019-10-05

Northern Madison

Sphinx Mountain

Whumph on The Sphinx

Sphinx Mountain
AF-O
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.1582, -111.4770
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From e-mail on Saturday 10/5, climbers on the Sphinx found these conditions: "We found a lot of snow on the Sphinx today following heavy precip since Sam’s report two days ago [see photo]. 3-5 cm in the parking lot, 20 cm at the Sphinx-Helmet col. Moderate SW winds had created drifts almost a meter deep in places on the traverse to the ice routes on the north face. I backed off after a whumph on a particularly exposed section of the traverse. We tried different ledge systems above and below the normal approach route but found similar snow conditions throughout."

Photo: From 10/3 prior to 8-10" new snow, "No snow hazard of much concern on the approach. However, a quick hasty pit in an isolated wind pocket revealed a CT1 on this layer. ice axe is to the ground."

More Avalanche Details

Hasty Pit at The Sphinx

2019-09-29

Bridger Range

Fairy Lake

Small wind slab near Fairy Lake

Fairy Lake
SS-AS-R1-D1-S
Elevation: 9,000
Coordinates: 45.9043, -110.9580
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From e-mail: "The only places one could ski were wind pockets blown into the limestone fin features that in places were well over a foot. These spots were also where the snow was weirdest/posed any sort of avalanche hazard as you pretty much had to find a wind slab in order to ski anything! One group reported triggering a slab in one of these spots, but vis was too poor to see."

More Avalanche Details

Small drifts near Fairy Lake

Thin cover near Fairy Lake

Photos- Northern Madison

Displaying 1 - 14

Windy Goat near Fairy Lake

A local near Fairy Lake gets a taste of fresh October snow and wind. "You know it's somewhat windy when the goats start closing their eyes and their beards get blown sideways." Photo: B. VandenBos
Wind scouring and transporting near Fairy Lake

Strong westerly wind scoured snow off high ridgelines and slopes in the northern Bridger Range on Friday (10/11). Photo: B. VandenBos
Loose snow avalanche in Hyalite

Dry loose snow avalanches were observed on 10/10 as the recent snow settled. From e-mail "...saw some small, solar-initiated, dry loose snow slides in steep, rocky terrain (heads up ice climbers). With a firm surface beneath the new snow, these little guys were picking up steam quickly." Photo: B. VandenBos
Avalanche on wind loaded saddle near Hyalite Peak

Avalanche debris on the saddle near Hyalite Peak. This is indicative of the type of heavily wind loaded terrain near ridgelines where avalanches are most likely this time of year. Photo: B. VandenBos
Cornice break and small wind slab Mt. Blackmore

Broken off cornice on the saddle between Blackmore and Elephant on 10/5. "Snow was anywhere from inches deep with grass and rocks to hip deep. It was mostly knee deep though. Down in the flats below the bowl there was easily 8-10" fresh and another 2" on my way down..." Photo: @benjacobsenphoto
Hasty Pit at The Sphinx

Ice Climbers on the Sphinx sent this photo from October 3, and noted,

"No snow hazard of much concern on the approach. However, a quick hasty pit in an isolated wind pocket revealed a CT1 on this layer. ice axe is to the ground." Photo: S. Magro
Wind Transport on Gallatin Peak

Wind transport of snow on Gallatin Peak, October 2, 2019. Photo: B. VandenBos
MSU Snow and Avalanche Workshop

MSU SAW is October 9th from 5-9pm in SUB Ballroom A. www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation/SAW.html for more info.
Small drifts near Fairy Lake

The mountains got their first coat of snow at the end of September, though it isn't quite enough to protect you from hitting rocks. Where the snow is drifted provides the best coverage, but is also the most likely place to trigger a small slide. A small slide would be painful if it pushes you into the many exposed rocks. Photo: G. Antonioli
Thin cover near Fairy Lake

The mountains got their first coat of snow at the end of September. It isn't quite enough to protect you from hitting rocks. Photo: G. Antonioli
Spotty early season snow coverage in Hyalite

We hiked in to put up the Flanders weather station on 9/25 and found a spotty distribution of 4-6" of snow above 8,000'. Photo: GNFAC
Wet Slide Pine Creek 3

Last weekend (9/23) there was about 14 inches of snow at 9,000'. Sun and warm temperatures created wet snow avalanches on slopes that face the sun. These small slides can be hazardous if they push you into the wrong terrain. Photo: Z. Drobnik
Wet Slide on Pine Creek trail 2

Last weekend (9/23) there was about 14 inches of snow at 9,000'. Sun and warm temperatures created wet snow avalanches on slopes that face the sun. These small slides can be hazardous if they push you into the wrong terrain. Photo: Z. Drobnik
Wet Slide on Pine Creek trail

Last weekend (9/23) there was about 14 inches of snow at 9,000'. Sun and warm temperatures created wet snow avalanches on slopes that face the sun. These small slides can be hazardous if they push you into the wrong terrain. Photo: Z. Drobnik