Blog List

Doug Chabot
1/7/2014

I would love to know how many sets of tracks were wiped out in Sunday’s avalanche of the Football Field on Saddle Peak. If you carved a set consider yourself lucky. I’m going to guess that not many snowpits were dug and that the only form of stability assessment folks leaned on were that others had skied it beforehand. This was not smart. The avalanche broke during early morning avalanche control on the boundary of Bridger Bowl. An explosive was placed in-bounds, but the avalanche ripped out-of-bounds. Why?

Doug Chabot
1/7/2014

Published in the January 2014 issue of CARVE.

The third week of December provided some valuable avalanche lessons when three people in two separate incidents triggered and were caught in avalanches near the Bridger Bowl boundary.  In both cases the parties exited the ski area into the backcountry.  The first incident involved two highly experienced skiers on Saddle Peak.  Like they have done for years, they rode the Slaschman’s lift and hiked

Mark Staples
12/13/2013

Mountain snowmobiling is serious business in terms of avalanches. Modern sleds make it incredibly easy to ride deep powder in avalanche terrain. It is really fun but can also be really deadly. As always consider taking a class. Another great way to learn more is to watch a recently published series from the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC) called "Throttle Decisions." It has 10 individual videos that were all very well done and worth watching.

Doug Chabot
11/27/2013

Published in December issue of CARVE

I never thought I’d be concerned about my electronics while cruising around the backcountry, but I am. Carrying a cell phone, satellite phone, GPS, avalanche beacon, SPOT Messenger, and a VHF radio means my electronic signature rivals a high tension power line. I hope I don’t have to start lugging around a car battery to keep everything powered. Most people in the backcountry are not as wired as me, but a smartphone and beacon are staples for most backcountry travelers. The beacon is a literal lifeline, the most important piece of electronic safety equipment we carry. Its function is crucial to survival. As I slowly added to my electronic arsenal over the years I began to wonder, “Do all these other devices interfere with the function of my avalanche beacon?”

Doug Chabot
11/14/2013

Published in December issue of SnoWest Magazine

Snowmobilers die in avalanches every winter, killed by trauma or suffocation, an extremely unpleasant way to breathe your last breath. In the last 10 years 93 snowmobilers in western America have been killed in avalanches. This is no surprise. We love to ride steep, open, mountainous slopes in avalanche terrain. If you play in the lion’s den you may get eaten, but as riders we don’t have to go into the den when the lion is hungry.

Eric Knoff
11/12/2013

Published in CBU November Newsletter

The day dawns cold and clear with a foot of fresh snow and the promise of incredible powder riding. At the trailhead, the surrounding landscape sparkles like a field of diamonds and the anticipation of a magical day in the mountains builds.

Sled covers are hastily removed and the machines are fired up - the smell of exhaust fills the air. Feeling confident about preparations, members of the group do a quick gear check and then hop on their machines, pinning their throttles towards the backcountry and a day of powder riding.

Mark Staples
11/6/2013

 

YES. Portable electronics like phones, radios, GPS, cameras, etc. will interfere with an avalanche beacon (aka avalanche transceiver).  Is it a problem? The interference is significant and may prevent you from finding a buried partner. These electronic devices typically need to be turned on to cause interference. Snowmobiles with running motors and electrical circuits will also cause interference.

Eric Knoff
10/25/2013

Staying on top during the Bozeman Ice Festival

By: Eric Knoff

Avalanche Forecaster - Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center

Blue ice clings to canyon walls, creating a colorful contrast to the steep rock faces of Hyalite Canyon. Climbers inch their way up the frozen surface with axes and crampons, many having traveled from around the world to experience this world class venue.

Doug Chabot
9/19/2013

I just got back from a dawn patrol ski tour in the Bridgers! Yesterday’s snowstorm dumped heaps of snow at the higher elevations and the skiing was the better than I ever would have guessed.

Ok, I’m joking.  But admit it, you got a little excited, didn’t you?

jimurl
10/12/2007

Hello Everyone,

Consider this a personal invitation to take part in next Saturday's (February 3) King and Queen event at Bridger Bowl. Do you like to hike? Do you like to ski? Then this event is for you. Hike, ski and raise money for the Friends of the Avalanche Center.