Bearclaw Bob's, second posting

[bearclawbob]

Found the temp's to me 30 degrees this morning at 4:30 am. I've been out plowing snow again. The snowman is still calling for 7 more days of winter. You can blame the ground hog or the snow dance for this weather system. We picked up about 4 inches yesterday and several today with high winds.
Snow is still over the handle bars this morning.

The bakery has been really busy, Terri and I would like to THANK everyone that comes in to support us.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Yellowstone Arctic Yamaha and Yamaha Motor Corp in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center.

The southern ranges picked up a healthy shot of snow over the past 24 hours. Madison Plateau Snotel site near West Yellowstone is showing 8-10” of new snow totaling 1” of SWE (snow water equivalent). Fisher Creek Snotel near Cooke City is recording 6-8” of snow totaling .8” of SWE and Carrot Basin in the southern Madison Range is showing 4-5” of snow totaling .5” of SWE. This new snow was accompanied by strong winds out of the W-SW. Today, wind loaded slopes will be the most prone to human triggered avalanches. Slopes below ridgelines and on the leeward side of cross-loaded terrain features will be likely areas to find fresh wind slabs. These fresh slabs will be sensitive to human triggers and should be avoided.

Outside of wind loaded slopes, a few different weak layers have the potential to produce avalanches in non-wind loaded terrain. In the mountains near West Yellowstone, a buried layer of surface hoar is capped by over a foot of snow. This layer doesn’t exist on all slopes, which makes it tricky. It’s worth digging a quick snowpit to look for this layer before committing to steeper terrain. In the mountains around Cooke City, a thin layer of facets sitting on top of an ice crust can be found on south facing slopes. Yesterday, Doug got this layer to propagate in stability tests on a south facing slope below Daisy Pass. Given the heavy amount of new snow overt the past 24 hours, careful snowpack evaluation is essential before skiing or riding any steep slope.

Today, dangerous avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all slopes.
__________________

 

[bearclawbob]

6 days left

The snowman is on his snowmobile running around on the mountains making it snow, having so much fun, he's telling me that we have 7 days left for this winter weather. The chance of snow today is 50% and for Monday is 70%. We could see another 5-8 inches by Monday night. The temps are staying in the lower to mid 30's. The wind has went down this morning, but it blew hard last night.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Yellowstone Arctic Yamaha and Yamaha Motor Corp in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center.

This new snow was accompanied by strong winds out of the W-SW. Today, wind loaded slopes will be the most prone to human triggered avalanches. Slopes below ridgelines and on the leeward side of cross-loaded terrain features will be likely areas to find fresh wind slabs. These fresh slabs will be sensitive to human triggers and should be avoided.

Outside of wind loaded slopes, a few different weak layers have the potential to produce avalanches in non-wind loaded terrain. In the mountains near West Yellowstone, a buried layer of surface hoar is capped by over a foot of snow. This layer doesn’t exist on all slopes, which makes it tricky. It’s worth digging a quick snowpit to look for this layer before committing to steeper terrain. In the mountains around Cooke City, a thin layer of facets sitting on top of an ice crust can be found on south facing slopes. Yesterday, Doug got this layer to propagate in stability tests on a south facing slope below Daisy Pass. Given the heavy amount of new snow overt the past 24 hours, careful snowpack evaluation is essential before skiing or riding any steep slope.

Today, dangerous avalanche conditions exist and the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all slopes.

 

[bearclawbob]

WOW

I've had a breather to sit down and give everyone a update. Its still snowing and the snowman is still calling for another 3 more days of snow. Tomorrow will see mid 30's and a 90% chance of snow and then changing into snow/rain in the afternoon. Could see up to 8 inches.
We are in a AVALANCHE WARNING TILL 5:15 AM THURSDAY.

The AVALANCHE CLASS will be at the Super 8 motel on Friday the 10th at 6 pm.

If you say will I be out plowing tomorrow, I would have to say yes.


The snow is still over the handle bars and the visibility sucks. The town is busy with sledders and skiers. Thanks you

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Wisetail and Gallatin County Search and Rescue.

Cooke City got another 6+” of snow measuring .6” of SWE (snow water equivalent) totaling 5.6” of SWE since Friday, a hefty amount of weight. Winds were moderate yesterday, but today gusts of 40 mph will be loading many slopes. Widespread collapses (whumphs) were reported by a ski guide yesterday, and another skier had propagation in his stability tests 2’ under the surface. Steady snowfall, erratic winds, buried weak layers of surface hoar and facets, and most importantly, natural and human triggered avalanche activity on Sunday indicate dangerous avalanche conditions will continue. For today, the avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes.

 

[bearclawbob]

SNOW AND RAIN

Worked all day plowing snow. By this afternoon it started raining just like the snowman called for. But good news, its still snowing on the mountain. Friday and Saturday we will see it start clearing up. Friday a 30% chance of snow and Saturday a slight chance of snow. For next week the sun will be out.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Community Food Co-op and World Boards.

Over the past week, snowfall around Cooke City has been measure in feet! Fisher Creek Snotel site has recorded 6” of SWE (snow water equivalent) in the past 6 days. This is a tremendous amount of snow. Even the strongest snowpack will have difficulty supporting this extremely heavy load. Over the past five days, both natural and human triggered avalanches have been reported. This is bull’s eye information the snowpack has been pushed past its breaking point. Today, continued snowfall and strong winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions. Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Avalanche terrain and avalanche runout zones should be avoided.

For today, the avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes.

Don't forget about the free AVALANCHE TRAINING AT THE SI[ER 8 PM FRIDAYS AT 6PM

 

[bearclawbob]

long day

To let everyone know that the temp's fell back to below freezing and everything was hard this morning and most of the day. The sun did come out after this morning snow fall, only 2 inches. The powder on the mountain was awesome today.
LuLu Passe slid today, went clear across the valley floor. Haven't seen it that way for several years now.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Excel Physical Therapy and Cooke City Super 8/Bearclaw Bob’s.

The mountains near Cooke City received historic snowfall over the last week with 8-10 feet of snow totaling 9.5” of snow water equivalent (SWE) over eight days. This storm was the largest since 1986 when 7.7” of SWE fell over six days. Snow stopped falling yesterday afternoon, but winds overnight continue to load slopes and form huge slabs of snow. Wind loading will continue today and large avalanches are likely on wind-loaded slopes. Yesterday I was in Cooke City during extreme danger. We steered clear of all steep slopes and avalanche runout zones with fear that slides could run historic distances, break trees, and be deadly in small terrain. We were not able to observe many slopes due to poor visibility, but saw a large, 6’ deep wind slab that piled up in a confined terrain trap. Large to historic avalanches are possible today and avalanche terrain should be avoided. Have fun in low angle terrain and avoid runout zones below steep, wind loaded slopes. Avalanche danger is HIGH on wind loaded slopes and CONSIDERABLE on all other slopes.

Been a busy week and weekend for snow and sledders. Have a great weekend. Be safe.

 

[bearclawbob]

Todays up date

Afternoon from the sun belt. The temp. got up to 37 degrees with a low tonight in the lower 20's. The snowman is calling for clear skies till Friday and we have another storm moving in. Looks like the chance of snow will be at 30%.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by our sweethearts Allyson, Marcie and Nina who are our biggest supporters.

If you Rip Van Winkled the last 2 weeks and missed the action in Cooke City, here’s a recap: it snowed a massive amount (11+ feet in 12 days), the winds blew and slopes avalanched bigger than anyone has seen in 20 years. Late Sunday, two snowboarders riding sleds hit a slope on the backside of Daisy Pass and triggered a large avalanche. No one was caught. Many riders are high marking next to huge avalanches, which is risky behavior. Avalanche activity is the #1 sign that adjacent slopes are also dangerous. The snowpack needs time to adjust to this massive load and in the next few days people will still be able to trigger slides. For today, the avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on all slopes.

 

[t-revzr]

Thank you for the updates! Will be in Cooke for a week starting this Sunday. I hope the snow starts flying so we have some fresh pow.

 

[bearclawbob]

Snow Dance

The snowman is calling for snow starting tomorrow with a 40% chance. The best chance of snow is on Sunday with a 60% chance. But we do have a chance of snow all next week.
The last time we did the snow dance, it brought us way to much. My guess is to try and dance for a couple of days to see what might come in.

The garage and bakery has been really busy. I'm having trouble keeping up. But that's a good thing. Thanks to everyone that supports us.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Bountiful Table and Katabatic Brewery.

It has been five days since snow stopped falling around Cooke City. During this time, wind has been relatively calm and temperatures have been above average. This has allowed the snowpack to settle and adjust. As the snowpack gains strength, avalanches are becoming harder to trigger. It has been three days since the last reported avalanche.

This is a tricky and often dangerous time to push it in avalanche terrain. While many slopes are stable, some are not. I would be especially wary of previously wind-loaded slopes, most of which exist in alpine terrain. If you do commit to steeper slopes, dig a snowpit, make sure you have avalanche rescue gear, and only expose one rider at a time. Remember, if a slide is triggered in these conditions, it will likely be large and destructive. For today, the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on slopes that were previously wind-loaded and MODERATE on all others.

 

[bearclawbob]

Snow Dance

Afternoon from Bearclaw/bakery and the Super 8 motel. The snowman is calling for snow the whole week. At this time we are getting snow/showers. The temp is at 36 degrees.
The riding is getting crusty and hard in the mornings and it softens up in the afternoon.
We need to keep the snow dance going, need snow bad. Lots of sleds engines going down, also hitting tree's.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Montana Ale Works.
In the mountains around Cooke City, the snowpack is generally deep and stable. However, strong winds out of the W-SW have likely created fresh wind slabs on upper elevation, leeward slopes. These have the potential to fail under the weight of a skier or rider. Persistent weak layers are not widespread around Cooke City, but weak-faceted snow does exist in isolated areas. If a slide does fail on a buried weak layer, it will likely be large and dangerous.

Although avalanches are becoming harder to trigger, now is no time to let your guard down. If you’re out skiing or riding this weekend – carry proper rescue gear, only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain and always watch your partner from a safe location.

Today, human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.

Have a safe weekend.

 

[bearclawbob]

Snow Dance

Morning from Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8. Today the snowman did make it snow. We've picked up about 2 inches in town. The forecast is calling for more snow for the next 5 days. Keep up the snow dance. Snoopy will show, how its done.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Grizzly Outfitters.

Near Cooke City the snowpack is generally deep and stable, but weak faceted snow exists in isolated areas. Avalanches are possible to trigger on this weak snow and will likely be large and destructive, similar to the one triggered by a snowmobiler last Sunday. Slopes with a shallower snowpack, or cross-loaded slopes with varying slab depth are the most suspect places to trigger a large slide.

Avalanches are possible to trigger today and avalanche danger is MODERATE.

I'm trying to put up a video, but not having luck with it. Its snoopy doing a snow dance.Click on this link. http://giphy.com/gifs/3ornjX5H61CKdFonks/html5

 

[bearclawbob]

dance,dance,dance

The snow dance is working. Hope you liked the snoopy snow dance. The snowman is calling for up to 4 inches of snow today, Monday and Tuesday.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by World Boards and the Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association.

Four to six inches of dense snow fell in the Bridger Range and near Cooke City, and it bonded poorly to old frozen and wind-packed snow surfaces on some slopes. Skiers in the northern Bridger Range saw natural avalanches and triggered a small wind slab yesterday. Wind slabs near ridgelines are possible to trigger today and will grow larger and more sensitive with more snow and wind. Approach these slabs with caution and avoid them above cliffs and high consequence terrain. On steep slopes, loose snow avalanches could gain enough force to knock you over.

Near Big Sky, a layer of facets buried 1.5-2’ deep could produce large avalanches. Skiers in Beehive found unstable test results on this layer over the weekend and it can’t be trusted. Avalanches are possible to trigger today and avalanche danger is MODERATE.

Went out yesterday to retrieve two snowmobiles that had a head on off the LULU trail above the cut across. NO one was hurt. Would like to thank all that helped on this.

 

[bearclawbob]

Snow

Morning from Cooke city. Yesterday was a great day in Bozangles. Temp's in the mid 40's. The snowman is calling for another 5 inches today. Low's tonight will be zero and not as warm today. Looks like most of the storm will be north of us this time. We picked up about 4 inches yesterday morning. Headed to town today for parts for the boiler. Everyone have a great day.

 

[bearclawbob]

???????

Its another day in snow land. The snowman is still calling for snow through next week. So far we've picked up an inch or two each day. The temp's have been in the mid 20's and single digits at night. By next week the highs will in the upper teens and single digits at night.
The riding on the Beartooths have been really great. If your tired of riding in Cooke, try riding the Beartooth mountains. Stop in for a free map of that area. You can also pick up maps of Cooke City here.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Yellowstone Arctic Yamaha and Yamaha Motor Corp.
The snowpack in the mountains around Bozeman and Cooke City have similarities and differences. The main difference is the snowpack around Cooke City is over twice as deep as the snowpack around Bozeman. These two areas are similar in the fact that neither has widespread persistent weak layers. This has limited the avalanche hazard to new snow instabilities, primarily wind slabs.
Outside of wind loaded slopes the snowpack is generally stable.

Today, human triggered avalanches are possible on wind loaded slopes which have a MODERATE avalanche danger. Non-wind loaded slopes have a LOW avalanche danger.

 

[bearclawbob]

windy and snowing

Late morning from Bearclaw/bakery and the Super 8. Just a reminder, if booking with the Super 8, you must tell them when booking that you would like the Snowest discount. If you don't, you won't save over $20.00.
On with the weather. The snowman is calling for snow showers for the next week. Today we will see gusty winds (up to 45mph) along with periods of snow. The visibility isn't good at times. I'm seeing any thing from 6 inches to a foot of fresh powder.
The beartooth has lots of untracked snow. Check it out also.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s advisory is sponsored by Bridger Bowl and Alpine Orthopedics.

The snowpack near Cooke City is 7-11’ deep and does not have widespread weak layers. Instabilities are limited to new snow, and primarily wind slabs. Easterly wind prior to yesterday formed drifts in unusual places, and west wind yesterday drifted snow back to where slabs are more commonly found. Wind slabs are possible to trigger today and likely found on the leeward side of ridgelines and convex terrain. Avalanches deeper in the snowpack are unlikely, but not ruled out in isolated areas, possibly on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is shallow. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes and LOW elsewhere.

 

[bearclawbob]

SNOW

The afternoon weather is snow. The snowman is calling for a couple more inches over night. The temp. is at 15 degrees this afternoon and in the single digits again tonight.
For Monday we could see another 4-5 inches with a high of 19. The snowman is still calling for snow through out the week.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS:Today’s advisory is sponsored by Mystery Ranch and Montana Ale Works.

Near Cooke City, average snow depth is around 9 feet and there aren’t any widespread weak layers. Primary instabilities are recent wind slabs formed by west to southwest wind. These slabs are likely near ridgelines and possible to trigger today. Slabs could range from 1-3’ thick. Be cautious of recently wind loaded slopes, especially in high consequence terrain.

Avalanches deeper in the snowpack are unlikely, but possible in isolated areas, possibly on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is relatively shallow. Avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes and LOW elsewhere.

Breakfast was another great hit this weekend, with the burrito being the number one seller. The 2nd in line is the big breakfast.mmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[bearclawbob]

snow and sun

The snowman is still calling for more snow for 6 more days. Today we can see up to another 3 inches. The the temp's in the mid teens. The sun is trying to pop out when it can.
Yesterday brought about 2 inches with drifting winds.

I've received another load of BCA radio's for sale. Call to reserve them.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS:Today’s advisory is sponsored by the Pinhead Classic and Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association.



Like a heavyweight boxing champion, the snowpack in Cooke City has been tested in the ring by huge storms and emerges the victor, slightly bruised, but intact. The snowpack is over 9’ deep and lacks weak layers. Our stability concerns are focused on the 2’ of snow that fell in the last 10 days. West to southwest winds blew over the weekend and speeds increased to 30 mph last night forming new wind slabs. A fetch and snow mean avalanches are possible. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.
Note: Cornices have grown with recent snow and wind. These monsters hang far off ridgelines and can be easily broken free by simply skiing nearby. Give them a wide berth. Many skiers and climbers have been injured or killed when a cornice breaks underfoot.

 

[bearclawbob]

getting deep

Just got back from the top of the mountain. The winds blowing bad, but the snow depth is about 18 inches so far.
__________________

 

[bearclawbob]

windy`

Just got in from plowing and the wind just doesn't want to stop. We have gusts up to 45 mph. The sun is trying to come out, but the wind chill is at 4 below.
By Friday, we should see partly cloudy skies with a temp in the mid 20's and the winds will be 5-15.

The snow is still over the bumpers of the sleds today. Great riding, but visibility is still bad.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS:Today’s advisory is sponsored by Wisetail and Montana State Parks.

The mountains around Cooke City have gotten 3” of snow every day for the last three days. The snowpack is deep, strong and lacks a worrisome weak layer. New snow coupled with wind creates wind slabs, our main avalanche concern. Beware of wind drifts near ridgelines and in gullies from cross-loading. Cracking of small drifts is a sign that bigger, thicker ones could be triggered. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.

 

[jmom]

Thanks to BearClaw Bob for hosting our group again for our second trip this season. We are already looking forward to our spring ride on March 26th. The breakfast menu at BearClaw Bakery has been a treat with the new selections. The Super 8 has been great for cozying up after a day in the frigid temps and wind this week. Our sleds have been enjoying a defrost in the heated shop and we may have had some repair time in the warm facility too.

https://www.snowest.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=281909&stc=1&d=1488424906

https://www.snowest.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=281908&stc=1&d=1488424906

https://www.snowest.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=281910&stc=1&d=1488424906

https://www.snowest.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=281911&stc=1&d=1488424906

https://www.snowest.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=281912&stc=1&d=1488424906

 

[bearclawbob]

snowing

Woke up to find light snow with about an inch on the ground. The snowman is calling for snow today with temp's in the mid 20's. The winds will be lighter today, 10-20 mph. Friday we will see partly cloudy skies. Should be a great day to ride.

More to come later in the day. Thanks Jacob for the great pictures.