As skiers we're always talking about the snowpack and how stable or unstable it is, but what does that really mean? This slide in Hyalite, Montana is a pretty good example of 'unstable snowpack.' Triggered by a skier who made it all the way down before the face actually broke (one lucky fellow), the slide was a pretty classic slab avalanche.
Our friends at the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche center broke down what happened with slide. Essentially, it was a slab of wind packed snow sitting on top of a weak layer, in this case, it was sugary faceted snow. While no one was buried or injured, events like this one act a as pretty good reminder of how unpredictable avalanches can be. Much of the West has seen this faceted snow this season meaning that snowpack in places like Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming is still pretty unstable. It's a really good time to exercise careful decision making and ski conservatively in the backcountry until those weak layers heal up.
Maka Homes Inc
January 16th, 2021
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Maka Homes Inc
January 16th, 2021
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