Avalanche Size 2 in Montana Bowl/RMR

Quick report

Weather

cold

Ride Type

alpineSlopes

Stayed Away

convexSlopes

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

powder

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSlab

Around noon on Dec 23, a rider triggered an avalanche in this West North West gully in Montana Bowl near RMR. Avalanche was a size 2 (see picture). The start zone was around 2300 meters. Avalanche ran for about 200 meters. It is difficult to know if it was a windslab (looks like it) or maybe the Dec 1st surface hoar layer was a player. Nonetheless, the terrain feature where the avalanche occurred was rocky and very steep (37 degrees to 45 degrees), and the snow depth was highly variable. I do not want to be too moralist here, but maybe it is time to think twice about where we are riding; especially since Montana Bowl is a very popular place where other skiers or riders could have been below.