Gros Ventre

We experienced large differences in the snow over the last two days. Temperatures, cloud cover, and wind has a large influence of snow quality and stability during dry periods in the spring when dealing with potential wet snow problems. Temperatures dropped below freezing the last two nights allowing for a hard refreeze of snow surfaces both days.

Yesterday was relatively cool with gusty SW winds and broken sky cover (~75%). Snow surfaces stayed frozen until softening around 2pm in the upper elevations. Snow surfaces softened 4" below the surface in the middle elevations. Very little concern for any avalanches. We departed the mountains around 16:00. Snow remained dry on northerly aspects in upper elevations.

Today was a completely different story with clear skies causing strong solar heating on snow surfaces sheltered by the wind. Temperatures were warmer with ligher SW wind. Upper elevations were just starting to break down and soften on S/W aspects around noon. Middle to lower elevations were prime corn conditions on westerly aspects around noon. We departed the mountains around 13:00 as snow surfaces were softening and destabilizing quickly. Wet snow avalanches would have become a concern on the steep consequential slopes around rock features.

Reading the weather forecast ahead of time can help you plan where and how long you stay in the mountains. Every day is different and assessing how the snow is changing throughout the day can hep you determine if and when wet snow avalanches are a concern.

Watch out for large cornices still hanging around in the Wyoming and Gros Ventre ranges.

Gros Ventre

Quick report

Snowpack