23-24

Wet Snow Avalanches, Cooke City

COOKE CITY
Cooke City
Code
WL-N-R1-D1.5
Aspect
SW
Latitude
45.02020
Longitude
-109.93800
Notes

There were two loose, wet snow avalanches that we saw that had a bit of volume to them today. One on the south side of Crown Butte and the other on the southwest side of Scotch Bonnet

Number of slides
2
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Wet loose-snow avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
R size
1
D size
1.5
Vertical Fall
300ft
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Multiple Avalanches
Advisory Year

Recent avalanches and wet snow

Date
Activity
Snowmobiling

We rode from Taylor Fork through Cabin Creek on March 17. We saw a few recent slab avalanches that happened after the last snowfall, and some recent natural wet loose avalanches, and a cornice fall. Both (all) of these types of slides are possible for someone to trigger the next 2-3 days.

Melt freeze crust on sunny slopes was 1-1.5" thick with dry snow below. Softened on south-southwest slopes by midday to early afternoon. Shady slopes seemed to be staying dry up high. Skies were mostly clear with calm wind.

Region
Southern Madison
Location (from list)
Cabin Creek
Observer Name
Alex Marienthal

Collapse in beehive

Beehive Basin
Northern Madison
Code
Latitude
45.31870
Longitude
-111.38400
Notes

From Obs: "Had a pretty interesting collapse this afternoon while touring up the east ridge of Beehive. The slope I was on I measured at 30° at the highest, was below treeline but in a small meadow. The surface had melted and refroze. As I was touring across the small slope stomping to the to break the surface to set a better skin track the whole piece broke (150' wide by 50' down) together and moved down slope about 6". I quickly dug a little bit where it broke from the rest of the slope and it seamed to break near the ground, ~ 50cm and with the naked eye I could see large depth hoar crystals and little to no rounding.

While I do think it was simply a collapse I was very surprised this happened and the way this whole piece moved on such a low angle slope. I hadn't seen something like this before. Guess it lines up with just how weird this season has been. 

~8560' west facing"

Number of slides
0
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Snow Observation Source
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Red Flag
Advisory Year

Collapse in beehive

Date
Activity
Skiing

Had a pretty interesting collapse this afternoon while touring up the east ridge of Beehive. The slope I was on I measured at 30° at the highest, was below treeline but in a small meadow. The surface had melted and refroze. As I was touring across the small slope stomping to the to break the surface to set a better skin track the whole piece broke (150' wide by 50' down) together and moved down slope about 6". I quickly dug a little bit where it broke from the rest of the slope and it seamed to break near the ground, ~ 50cm and with the naked eye I could see large depth hore crystals and little to no rounding.

While I do think it was simply a collapse I was very surprised this happened and the way this whole piece moved on such a low angle slope. I hadn't seen something like this before. Guess it lines up with just how weird this season has been. 

~8560' west facing

45.31868, -111.38395

Region
Northern Madison
Location (from list)
Beehive Basin
Observer Name
Nelson VanTassel