The whole face of the shoulder slid when a wet slab avalanche exploding down the mountain at the Yellowstone Club in Montana on Tuesday, May 19. Photo by Tommy S/Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
A ginormous wet slab avalanche was naturally triggered at a private Montana ski area yesterday afternoon. The crown was some 6-8′ deep and the Yellowstone Club ski patrol director said that “it is the biggest slide he has seen on the shoulder.” The avalanche hit a tower.
Official Avalanche Observation by Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:
Yellowstone Club
Northern Madison
Code
WS-N-R4-D3.5
Elevation
9800
Aspect
E
Latitude
45.23110
Longitude
-111.44100
Notes
Doug McCabe left a message:
A very large wet slab avalanche released on an east aspect of the YC. It was not human triggered. This is the biggest slide he has seen on the shoulder with an estimated 6-8′ deep crown. The slide hit a tower. R4/D3.5.