20-21

West Cole Creek, Eastern Beartooths

Date
Activity
Skiing

Another classic mid winter snowpack was observed by Level 1 students this weekend on the eastern Beartooth front. Prolonged stretches in December and January have promoted depth hoar development in the basal structure of the snowpack that is found at most above' elevations and aspects (N,E & W) we traveled through. The new load of snow in the last week ~24" has added instability to areas with depth hoar; we also observed minor a few shooting cracks and collapsing snow. ECTs has propagation at the new/old snow interface (ECTP27), as well as at the bottom of the snowpack (~140cm down). Our layer of concern is the basal facets as those seem to be the most reactive PWL on a variety of aspects.

Region
Out of Advisory Area

Splitboarder triggered, caught and killed in Beehive

Beehive Basin
Northern Madison
Code
HS-ARu-R4-D2.5-O
Elevation
9100
Aspect
SW
Latitude
45.32690
Longitude
-111.38400
Notes

On February 14, 2021, two splitboarders triggered an avalanche in Beehive Basin north of Big Sky. They were skinning up the slope when they triggered the avalanche. Both members of the party were caught, but Boarder 1 was able to grab trees and not be buried. Boarder 2 was carried approximately 300 feet downslope where he hit a tree and was critically injured. He was partially buried, entangled around a tree with his head downhill. Boarder 1 heard his partner’s screams, called 911 and went to his aid. He administered first aid and worked to keep him warm and calm. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky (GCSAR) left the trailhead within 45 minutes of the 911 call, skied to the scene and began providing care. A GCSAR helicopter arrived soon afterward and the injured boarder was short hauled to Big Sky Fire Department and medical care. Boarder 2 died from his injuries that night. The avalanche was 300 feet wide, 500 feet vertical and averaged 2 feet deep. It broke on a layer of facets and near the ground. Read the full accident report here: https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/21/02/16

Number of slides
1
Number caught
2
Number buried
1
Number killed
1
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowboarder
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
4
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
500ft
Slab Width
300.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Weak Layer grain size
3.00mm
Weak Layer Hardness
F+
Slab Layer Grain Type
Precipitation Particles
Slab Layer Grain Size
0.50mm
Slab Layer Hardness
4F+
Images
Beehive Fatality Snowpit Profile, 15 Feb 2021
Beehive avalanche crown close up
Beehive avalanche, heli on debris
Beehive avalanche, heli and rescuers on debris
Beehive Avalanche from air, top half
Beehive avalanche from air, full
Attached Videos
Beehive Basin Avalanche Fatality - 15 February 2021
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year
20-21

On 2/14/21 two splitboarders triggered this avalanche while skinning up the slope. One was caught, partially buried and critically injured. Rescuers from Gallatin County/Big Sky Search and Rescue hiked in and were flown in to evacuate the injured person. Photo: B. Murry

Avalanche Details: Splitboarder triggered, caught and killed in Beehive
Northern Madison, 2021-02-14
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    • On 2/14/21 two splitboarders triggered this avalanche while skinning up the slope. One was caught, partially buried and critically injured. Rescuers from Gallatin County/Big Sky Search and Rescue hiked in and were flown in to evacuate the injured person. Photo: B. Murry

    Avalanche Details: Splitboarder triggered, caught and killed in Beehive
    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Feb 16, 2021
    Northern Madison, 2021-02-14
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    • Beehive

    Date
    Activity
    Skiing

    (part of BSSAR response team to incident today)

    Region
    Northern Madison
    Location (from list)
    Beehive Basin
    Observer Name
    Leigha Bohn
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