Bearclaw Bob's

[bearclawbob]

AVY CLASSES FREE

The Avalanche classes start tonight at 6:30 till 7:30, then they will be every Friday night until the end of March. Tonight's class and the class in December will be held at the Super 8 motel. I haven't heard where the January classes will be held. Soon as I know, I'll let everyone know. Sorry I said in my post above that they started at 6:00 pm.

 

[bearclawbob]

below freezing

Good morning form Cooke city and Bearclaw / bakery and the Super 8 motel.

The snowman came through with temp's getting down to 25 degree's this morning. It froze everything last night. The riding will be like spring riding today. It should soften up as it gets later in the day. The snowman is calling for lower 30's with low's in the mid 20's tonight. It will be mostly sunny by mid morning.

The AVALANCHE CLASS was over flowing. I'm glad people took advantage of the class.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Cooke City has the deepest snowpack in the advisory area. On average, the pack is 4-6’ deep at higher elevations. Earlier in the week, Doug and I traveled in the mountains around Cooke City and found mostly stable snow. Although warm temps and rain did affect this area, the snowpack has remained cold and dry at higher elevations. Yesterday, a skier observed heavy wind loading caused to strong southwest winds. Today, wind slabs will be the primary avalanche problem. Keep an eye out for wind loaded slopes below upper elevation ridgelines and on the leeward side of cross loaded terrain features.

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.

The dinner (supper) was a great hit again. If your looking for a great home cooked meal stop in. Terri change the time freom 4:30 till 7:00 pm.

Have a great weekend.

 

[Kbaerg]

Made it up today, (sorry no pics) pretty good riding in the trees but still have to be careful, thank you Bearclaw for the loan of the wrench to tighten my scratcher. We will be back up next week for more riding.

 

[shadbehnke]

The Avalanche classes start tonight at 6:30 till 7:30, then they will be every Friday night until the end of March. Tonight's class and the class in December will be held at the Super 8 motel. I haven't heard where the January classes will be held. Soon as I know, I'll let everyone know. Sorry I said in my post above that they started at 6:00 pm.

Thanks for the info, myself and a could buds will be there Friday for the class

Sent from my SM-G930R6 using Tapatalk

 

[bearclawbob]

Sunday

Morning from Cooke city. We should see sunny skies with a high of 42 degrees. The snowman is calling for maybe an inch tonight and going through Monday with 4 inches. Tuesday show sunny skies with a temp's in the mid 20's. Wednesday the snow comes back in.
Let's keep up the dance, its working.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Below freezing temperatures and moderate wind the last couple days kept the snowpack frozen and stable. Today is different. Temperatures at 4 a.m. are above freezing up to 9,000’, and the snowpack will become wet, non-cohesive and lose strength.

Wet snow avalanches are possible today and could be triggered on all steep slopes except high elevation, northerly aspects. Recent freezing temperatures formed a thick crust on the snow surface, which will be supportable this morning then melt and soften today. Slopes that allow supportable, easy travel this morning will likely become wet and weak by the afternoon.

Be cautious of terrain overhead such as steep, rocky slopes that hold snow and could avalanche naturally as they warm through the day. If you sink past your boot in wet snow or see obvious signs of instability like pinwheels, roller balls, or natural avalanches, then avoid steep slopes and minimize exposure to runout zones. Wet snow avalanches are possible today and the avalanche danger is MODERATE.

A frozen, stable snowpack one day followed by wet, weak snow the next is more typical of April than November. Unusual weather creates unusual avalanches and calls for extra caution. Don’t hesitate to bail early or change plans before obvious signs of wet snow instability are present.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. We are off to town tomorrow morning.

 

[bearclawbob]

BRRRRRRRRRR

Woke up to 3 above. Morning from Cooke city.

Here is a recap of Monday. It rained most of Sunday night and till noon on Monday. Then it turned into snow. We picked up about 3 inches by 3 pm Monday.
The snowman is calling for sunny skies today with highs in the upper 20's and in the teens tonight. We could see light snow over night and maybe a couple of inches tomorrow with a 70% chance. The high tomorrow will also be in the upper 20's.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: The mountains have 2-3’ of dense snow with close to 6’ outside Cooke City. Yesterday, Eric found soggy snow below 9,000’ in the Bridger Range and skiers reported similar mushiness at low elevations in Beehive Basin and Cook City. This will freeze in the next few days and strengthen the snowpack even further.

Yesterday’s new snow was blown by westerly winds forming wind slabs near the ridgelines. Skiers on Mt. Blackmore got a few drifts to crack while the Big Sky Ski Patrol reported wind-loaded slopes stubborn to avalanche. This new snow fell onto a variety of surfaces ranging from an ice crust to moist snow. In most instances it bonded to the old surface, but dig 1-2’ deep to this interface to confirm the stability before exposing yourself to avalanche terrain.

Moist snow at lower elevations and wind-loading up high point to the possibility of human triggered slides. For today, the avalanche danger is MODERATE.

I've got the BCA radio's in and they are ready to go, along with other great items for AVALANCHE SAFETY.

Stop in if your wondering the streets early in the morning and get a free cup of coffee.

 

[bearclawbob]

windy and snowing

Morning from a snowy morning in Cooke city.
We've pickup about 3 inches of fresh snow this morning. Its still lightly snow with wind gust up to 35-45 mph.
The snowman is still calling for a couple more inches this afternoon. The next couple of days we will see sunny to partly cloudy skies in the mid 20's. Starting Saturday through Monday we have a 40 % chance.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Wind-loaded slopes should be approached carefully. Recent avalanches, cracking and collapsing are warning signs to stay out of avalanche terrain.

Besides new snow and wind-loading the underlying snowpack is mostly stable. We are still gathering our first field data, but all findings are similar: there is no widespread weak layer buried in the snowpack. Eric was on Saddle Peak in the Bridger Range yesterday and found stable conditions. I rode into Lionhead yesterday and found mostly stable snow, but got lucky in my search for instability and dug on a slope with a layer of weak snow on the ground that broke in my stability tests. I was surprised to see this. This layer was moist, only 5 cm thick and will likely not last long. However, finding it illustrates the need to dig and test even during times of stability.

This morning’s snowfall and strong winds make avalanches possible and a MODERATE avalanche danger throughout our entire advisory area.

The bakery is doing dinners (supper) Thursday, Friday and Saturdays along with her great breakfasts.

Come in and check out what I carry in Avy packs and all other avalanche gear. We do sell helmets, they range from $95 to $140.
We do rent out BCA RADIO's or sell them.

 

[bearclawbob]

ZERO

Morning from Bearclaw/ Bakery and the Super 8 motel.
The snowman didn't see the temp's we had this morning. It was zero. We will see sunny skies again today.
The new update on the snowman's weather is Friday 40% , Saturday 40% , Sunday 50% and Monday 30%. The temp's will stay in the mid to upper 20's. But by Tuesday the high's will be in the mid teen's.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: A skier outside of Cooke City also triggered a small wind slab yesterday in high alpine terrain. Winds have dropped over the past 24 hours, but recently formed wind slabs could still be triggered by skiers or riders. It’s important to remember that even small slides can be dangerous, especially in steep high consequence terrain.

Besides new snow and wind-loading the underlying snowpack is mostly stable. On Tuesday my partners and I skied Saddle Peak in the Bridger Range and found mostly stable conditions. Our biggest concern was wind slabs along the ridgeline. Doug rode into Lionhead on the same day and found similar conditions, with the exception of one pit that produced unstable results on a layer or facets near the ground. This layer is not widespread and shouldn’t last long. However, finding it illustrates the need to dig and test even when 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 avalanched danger.

 

[bearclawbob]

Light dusting

Good morning from Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8 motel. At this time we are getting light snow. Since 5 am, we've picked up about an inch. The snowman hasn't change his mind on the forecast. Its still showing a 30% for today and Saturday, but 70% chance for Sunday, which we could see up to another 5 inches. For Monday we are back to a 30%.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Stability is generally good across the advisory area. There is little in the way of buried persistent weak layers and the snowpack has not endured significant loading over the past few days. The biggest avalanche concern today is wind drifted snow near the ridgelines. Steady west winds throughout the week have formed drifts 1-2’ thick on leeward slopes. These drifts shouldn’t be overly sensitive to human triggers, but I still wouldn’t trust them, especially in steeper high consequence terrain. It should be easy to recognize and avoid wind loaded slopes today, which will be the best way to avoid triggering a slide.

Although we have the pleasure of enjoying a mostly stable snowpack, a massive avalanche at Big Sky Ski Resort yesterday highlights the fact that not all is perfect. This slide occurred on the North Summit Snowfield during control work and created a crown up to 10’ feet deep. It failed on depth hoar that formed from the snow that fell in September. The slide broke 500 vertical feet above the shot that triggered it producing an impressive display of propagation. This avalanche ran full path and broke mature trees in the run out zone. While this slide isn’t highly representative of the overall snowpack, it’s a good reminder of what remains possible.

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

The town is starting to get a few riders in and Terri's dinner are tonight. She is having Chili cheese dogs, Mac attack ( hamburger with mac and cheese on it) turkey pot pie and baked potato soup and chili. MMMMM MMMM Good.

Come in and check out the best prices on avalanche equipment around.

 

[bearclawbob]

SNOW

Walked down the stairs and saw another inch of snow in Cooke city. Morning from Cooke city.
The snowman is telling us that we can see a few more inches before its all done. Tonight we can see up to 5 inches and for tomorrow we could see another 6-8 inches more. Monday we still will have a 30% chance.

The mountains are looking better, reports say that round lake has the best new snow with a depth of 8-10 inches.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: The snowpack throughout our advisory area is generally stable and lacks widespread persistent weak layers (snowpits). With no more than a couple inches of new snow today avalanches are not likely. Wind slabs that formed from new snow and wind earlier in the week have gained strength and are hard to trigger today. However, these slabs may still be found near ridgelines, below cornices, or along the edges of gullies. Approach this terrain with caution and consider the consequences of being caught in any size slide. Very small fresh wind slabs may form by this afternoon if a few inches of snow fall today.

Cornices are impressive in size right now and hang far off the leeward edge of ridgelines (photo, photo). These massive blocks of snow could break under the weight of a skier or snowmobiler, though not likely.

Practice safe backcountry travel. Carry rescue gear and expose no more than one person at a time to avalanche terrain. Today, a generally stable snowpack and minimal recent snow makes the avalanche danger LOW.

Tonights special at the bakery will be Beef Stew, Open face pork loin, Turkey pot pie.
We would like to thank everyone for coming into our business.

Starting Dec. 19 we will start working on sleds. If you need help, come see us.

 

[bearclawbob]

PRIME RIB DINNER

Morning from Cooke city. As I looked out the window this morning and not seeing snow, I was disappointed., The snowman had put us in a winter storm warning from yesterday at 2pm till Monday at noon. Well about a half hour ago. The snow moved in and I think it's here to stay for a while. We could see up to a foot before it's all done.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: The main avalanche problem today is unstable slabs that will form from new snow and wind through the day. Fresh wind slabs will be easy to trigger and found near ridgelines and along the edges of gullies. These slabs will grow larger as snow falls through the day. As snow piles up, watch for obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing, blowing and drifting snow, and natural avalanches. Avoid nearby, similar avalanche terrain if these signs are present. In the absence of obvious signs of instability, dig 1-2 feet deeper than the new snow and assess stability before committing to avalanche terrain.

A generally stable snowpack makes avalanche danger LOW this morning. Heavy snowfall and moderate wind today will form unstable slabs that are easy to trigger, and avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE this afternoon.

Had a lot of people come in this morning for breakfast. Terri and I would like to thank each and everyone that has come in to our business. This will also include staying at the Super 8 motel.

Terri would like to share with you that on NEW YEARS EVE, the bakery will again host a PRIME RIB DINNER. If you are going to be in town and would like to come eat at the bakery. Please give Terri a call and make a reservation.

Don't forget to ask for the Snowest discount at the Super 8 motel. It will save you money.

 

[bearclawbob]

SNOW

Thought I"d share a picture of the snow coming down. It's been heavy at time and also light. The snow on the mountain varies, from wind blown to 2 feet.

 

[KSH]

Fixed Picture

The Snow Looks Good

Thought I"d share a picture of the snow coming down. It's been heavy at time and also light. The snow on the mountain varies, from wind blown to 2 feet.

 

[bearclawbob]

SNOW

Morning from Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8 motel
We picked up 5 inches in town and up to 2 feet on the mountain. The snowman is still calling for light snow till this afternoon. Temps will be in the teen's and single digits at night. This forecast is for today and Monday.

KSH thanks for turning the picture around.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Yesterday, skiers near Cooke City backed off riding a steep couloir after they found a propagating wind slab in stability tests and heard a cornice break off a ridge nearby.

On non-wind loaded slopes, slabs of deep new snow are possible to trigger, and dry loose avalanches could run long distances on hard, supportable crusts underneath. Before travelling in steep terrain dig a couple feet to see how the new snow is bonding to the layers underneath, and watch for obvious signs of instability like cracking and collapsing and natural avalanches.

New snow and wind make avalanches easy to trigger today, and the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Avoid wind loaded slopes and carefully assess the snowpack before approaching steep terrain.

We've picked up a few for the PRIME RIB DINNER NEW YEARS EVE. If your going to be in the area and would like to have a great diner. Give us a call and make reservations.

If your looking to rent, stop in and check out what I have here in the store. Everything from Avalanche Equipment to clothes and two way radio's.

 

[bearclawbob]

cooler today

Just got back from a trip to town and found that when I pulled in it was 19 degrees. The snowman is calling for in the single digits again for tonight with a high for Wednesday in the mid teens. By Thursday we can see the temp's rise to the mid 20's, with sunny skies. I see no snow in the forecast for the next 6 days.

Remember we picked up about 2 feet on the mountain yesterday.

So the snow dance in back on. Everyone help with it.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Storm totals are 14-18" in the Bridger and northern Gallatin Ranges, 10" around Big Sky, and 12" near Cooke City. In areas with the heaviest snowfall amounts, the snow water equivalent (SWE) measured 1-1.5”.

Last night, strong westerly winds blew the new snow into slabs which will be easily triggered. These will be found near ridgelines and in lower elevation gullies. The wind and new snow also grew cornices, which I saw on Buck Ridge (photo). Stay away from avalanche terrain with wind loads and avoid slopes underneath cornices. For today, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on slopes that are wind-loaded and MODERATE on other terrain.

I fill Avy bottles of all kinds. We also have the best prices on all avalanche equipment.

Don't forget the the Bakery is having her great PRIME RIB DINNER on New Year's Eve. Call for reservations.

 

[Yaeger34]

Anyone else want to come?

Heading to Cooke Thursday night after work. Will drive through night and ride Friday & Saturday then head back. Just me and one other both in our later 20s. Looking for one other. Located in St. Cloud MN. So from there all along i94 works

 

[bearclawbob]

lightly snowing

Morning from Cooke City. As I stepped out on the deck I about fell off. I found it was lightly snowing. I guess the snow dance worked again. Keep up the great work.
The snowman is calling for mostly sunny for the next couple of days then turning into sunny skies. We'll see temp's in the mid 20's and teens at night.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: In the mountains around Hyalite, Big Sky and Cooke City, westerly wind blew at the ridgelines with many upper elevation slopes stripped bare as others grew cornices. A skier up Hyalite noted that several cornices broke at ridgelines but did not trigger avalanches. Though slopes are generally stable it is possible to trigger small wind slabs near ridges or in gullies. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on all wind-loaded terrain and LOW on all other slopes.

The bakery is offering her great Prime Rib dinner on New Years Eve. Call for reservations.

 

[bearclawbob]

great surprise

Morning from Cooke city, the snowman was giving last night. He gave us another 3 inches of powder in town.
I have to thank everyone that is helping with the snow dance. It's been helping, keep it up.
The forecast till Sunday is SUNNY skies and temps will be in the lower 30's. Still no snow in the forecast.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: The mountains around Big Sky, West Yellowstone and Cooke City including Hyalite have been mostly spared from the strong winds that nuked the Bridgers over the past few days. As a result, wind loading has been light with the exception of some transport occurring along the ridgelines. Today, upper elevation slopes leeward to west-northwest winds could harbor the occasional wind slab. I don’t expect these to be overly sensitive to human triggers, but it’s worth assessing wind loaded slopes carefully before committing to serious terrain. If wind drifts present signs of instability such as shooting cracks or collapsing, it will be best to avoid these areas and seek terrain that is less wind loaded.

Aside from wind loaded slopes, the snowpack is mostly stable. Yesterday, I rode in Tepee Basin in the southern Madison Range and found stable snow in multiple snowpits. This is consistent with what Doug found on Buck Ridge on Tuesday. It’s also similar to what skiers and riders are finding around Cook City.

For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all other slopes.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FRIDAY NIGHT AVALANCHE COURSE AT THE SUPER 8 MOTEL. ITS FROM 6:30-7:30 PM AND IT'S FREE.


The bakery will be open at night for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner starts at 4:30 pm till 6:30 pm. Come in for a home cooked meal, you won't find that any where else. MMMMMM

If your looking for a rental sleds we have them. We carry 2018 Summit X's and 2018 Arctic cat mountain cat (elec. start) with the new C tech engine, I'm also getting a Polaris Axes in, should be here by Friday.

 

[bearclawbob]

ground hog day

I arose to find clear skies again. Just like ground hog day, Its going to repeat, repeat, repeat for the next 4 day. Sadly to say NO snow in the future. OH wait, the snowman just got a hold of me to say we might have a chance of snow the following weekend. SNOW DANCE time.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Wind loaded slopes are also the main avalanche concern in the mountains around Cooke City. This problem is more confined to upper elevation ridgelines. Yesterday and overnight, winds around Cooke City blew 30-50 mph out of the W-NW. These strong winds likely formed fresh wind slabs in upper elevation, leeward terrain. Exercise caution when traveling in wind loaded areas, especially in steeper-high consequence terrain.

Outside of the wind loaded slopes, the snowpack is mostly stable in the Bridger Range and mountains around Cooke City (video).

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.

Don't forget about the FREE AVALANCHE CLASS tonight at the Super 8 motel.

Before you go to the class, stop in and get a great super with us.

I've got a 2nd shipment of BCA radios, come in and check them out.

 

[bearclawbob]

Six more days

Morning from Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8 motel. We'll we have 6 more days till snow shows back up. The dancing is working. The snowman let me know that we now have a chance of snow starting Friday through Monday. The sad news that the six days we have to wait, the temps will be in the mid to upper 30's.

Lets dance all day and all night.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today, there isn’t much new to report. Without a recent loading event, our generally stable snowpack remains in good shape. Yesterday, Alex ventured into Beehive Basin near Big Sky and found stable snow in his snowpits. He did observe a few wet loose slides on south facing slopes, but these were small and posed little threat. This is consistent with observations from Hyalite and the Cooke City area.

Aside from small wet loose slides and isolated wind slabs, there isn’t much in the way of avalanche hazard. Although conditions are generally stable, now is no time to become complacent. It’s important to remember that avalanches can still happen and even small slides can have severe consequences.

Today, a stable snowpack combined with stable weather will create generally safe avalanche conditions. For this reason the avalanche danger is rated LOW.

The dinners have been a great hit for everyone. The best number one seller for Breakfast has been the french toast and the 2nd runner up is the Breakfast burrito.

I'm just a bout out of BCA radio's again. My3rd batch will be here Tuesday. If your looking for Ski doo and Arctic cat arms. We have them in stock.
If your needing tools we loan them for free. You can even work in a heated garage for a small fee. (Its heated)