"The YC Ski Patrol conducted avalanche mitigation work above another one of our roads today. The area is outside of our ski area boundary and receives no skier traffic. A 4lb explosives charge was detonated from an aerial tram and triggered a R2/D2 avalanche that ran to the ground. The crown was 2', the path width was around 100', and it ran 350 vertical feet (crossing the road) to the bottom of the runout zone. The elevation was 7280' on a NNW aspect and max slope angle of 34 degrees. Other sections of this slope were tested with explosive charges, yielding only black holes." Photos and observation courtesy YC Ski Patrol.
Yellowstone Club
Northern Madison
Code
HS-ABc-R2-D2-G
Elevation
7280
Aspect
NW
Latitude
45.22980
Longitude
-111.41200
Notes
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
An explosive detonated above the snow surface (air blast)
Trigger Modifier
c-A controlled or intentional release by the indicated trigger
R size
2
D size
2
Bed Surface
G - Ground
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
350ft
Slab Width
100.00ft
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year