A snowmobiler traveling in the Daisy Pass area of Custer Gallatin National Forest was caught in a large avalanche and completely buried on Friday, December 12. According to a report filed with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, the rider was completely buried for up to 12 minutes following the accident. The rider and their partner were wearing avalanche transceivers, but it was unclear if they had shovels and avalanche probes with them. Luckily, a rescue was initiated by nearby riders and the snowmobiler, buried three feet deep, was “uncovered and began breathing on his own.”
The avalanche, which had a thickness of up to four feet and was more than 500 feet wide, was not an isolated incident on the Gallatin that day. A relatively thin snowpack, built from weak, old snow near the ground covered by heavy, wet snow from recent storms, combined with skiers and snowmobilers eager to get the season started led to a widespread avalanche cycle over the weekend. Close to a dozen avalanches were reported in the Cooke City Zone, which contains Daisy Pass, including at least one other avalanche triggered by a snowmobiler.
Early season backcountry travel can be more dangerous for several reasons, including poor snowpack and strong desire to get out into the mountains. Weak, faceted snow crystals, produced by October or early November snowstorms that have had time to sit around and rot, have led to a dangerous setup on the Gallatin and in other avalanche forecast regions in North America. These persistent weak layers can allow large avalanches to be remotely triggered, even from flat ground. In addition to staying off steep slopes, backcountry travelers also need to consider if they are traveling below any large avalanche paths. Currently, the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is forecasting ‘Considerable’ avalanche danger in the Cooke City Zone, and ‘Moderate’ danger across the rest of its forecast area.
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