MissoulaAvalanche.org

Avalanche Information for West Central Montana

Avalanche Information for West Central Montana


This site is sponsored by the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation (WCMAF), a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation. WCMAF is dedicated to promoting avalanche safety education and awareness by providing information to all interested user groups regarding terrain, weather and snow conditions that contribute to avalanche danger in West Central Montana.

WCMAF operates in partnership with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC) of the Lolo National Forest. WCMAC provides avalanche advisories that are updated Mondays and Fridays during the winter.

West Central Montana Avalanche Advisory

(the advisory can be accessed by phone at 406-549-4488 or 800-281-1030)

February 3, 2012 Avalanche Advisory

Current Danger Rating is MODERATE

In the west central Montana backcountry above 6000 feet there is MODERATE avalanche danger on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.  There is LOW avalanche danger on all other slopes above and below 6000 feet.

Hello backcountry skiers and riders!  This is Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s avalanche advisory for Friday February 3, 2012.

Moderate avalanche danger means there is heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features where natural avalanches are unlikely but human triggered avalanches still possible. Small avalanches are possible in specific areas and large avalanches in isolated areas.

Low avalanche danger never means NO avalanche danger. Areas below 6000 feet have either had an opportunity to settle out and adjust to the weight of the most recent snowfalls or simply don’t have enough snow to be a problem.

Avalanche Accident

An avalanche accident claimed the life of a backcountry skier Wednesday in the Jewel Basin located in the northern Swan Range northeast of Bigfork, MT.  Preliminary reports state that a large cornice collapsed under the victim then triggered a large avalanche as it rolled dowslope.  Avalanche specialists with Glacier Country Avalanche Center are investigating the accident and will post details on their website glacieravalanche.org as they complete their investigation.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim.

Read the rest of this advisory »