Lionhead Area

Now is a great time to get up high and enjoy the sunny weather. Avalanche conditions are generally safe, but don’t let your guard down because mountains are inherently dangerous. There is a lingering persistent slab avalanche problem but it’s mostly dormant.

We’re in a holding pattern with a LOW danger throughout the forecast area. Traveling in the mountains is inherently dangerous regardless of the avalanche danger.

As always, watch for fresh wind slabs, mainly at upper elevations in Hyalite Canyon in the northern Gallatin Range. They should be shallow and confined to the highest ridgelines. 

Consider rescue practice if you get out today. Dave, Alex, and Andrea teamed up with Cooke City SAR to practice a full-blown avalanche rescue scenario yesterday.

HEADS UP - Cold weather with some warming during the day is changing the snow. In many places surface hoar is forming on top of the snow. Small facets are growing near the surface. And shallow areas at low elevations or wind scoured areas at upper elevations are weakening throughout the snowpack. We’ll keep monitoring things, but let us know what you see. Folks near Hebgen Lake by West Yellowstone and just west of Cooke City sent great observations of snow surface conditions recently. 

Curious how the air, sun, and other factors change the snow?  Watch these two videos on the Part 1 - Energy Exchange at the Snow Surface and Part 2 - Formation of Persistent Weak Layers.