This avalanche fatality, which occurred in early October in Montana a couple of years ago, is a sobering reminder that avalanche accidents can happen in the fall.  If you are traveling in the high country, whether it is hunting, skiing, hiking, or climbing, bring the appropriate avalanche rescue gear and stay tuned into avalanche conditions. The Catch-22 of fall skiing and riding: the most dangerous ingredients for an early season avalanche (slab of cohesive snow over a continuous, older snow layer) often form in the terrain that offers the deepest snow that keeps you off of the rocks.  Gullies and windloaded slopes are the first terrain features to develop a layered snowpack, which might harbor crusts or faceted snow from previous storms.  Loose snow avalanches can also be a concern this time of year.   Assess the snowpack before traveling on a snow covered slope on steep terrain. Snow that accumulates on bare ground or is well anchored by brush or talus is not a concern. If the snow surface is smooth and planar, treat it with suspicion. Windy areas are quicker to develop uniform snow coverage that can serve as a bed surface below slab avalanches. Remember that there is still plenty of winter to come if you have uncertainty about conditions.  Early season avalanches often result in season ending injuries as they drag you over rocks and shallow snow coverage.   The FAC will monitor conditions through the fall and post updates as conditions warrant.

 

Now is the time to get your gear dialed and brush up on your avalanche knowledge.   The 2019 Northern Rockies Snow and Avalanche Workshop has a great lineup of presentations, vendor booths, raffles, and an all-around good time.  The event is November 16th, 2019...all the details are here.   Registration is open! Stay tuned for our upcoming avalanche class schedule later this fall.