This is the second of three articles in the case study of an avalanche accident that happened on Big St. Joseph Peak on Sunday, January 3, 2021. The first article included an overview of the accident and examined human factors and how heuristic traps can influence our decision making....
On January 3rd of 2021, two experienced skiers triggered an avalanche on the east face of St. Joseph Peak. One skier was caught and carried 300’. Luckily, he skied off the debris and was uninjured. Like all such incidents, there are valuable lessons to be learned through examination. Much...
As the mantra goes: Practice makes perfect. The ability to respond successfully in an avalanche boils down to training and knowing how to use your equipment: a beacon, probe, and shovel. Beacon Training Parks provide users of all ages, abilities, and experience levels with an opportunity to hone...
WINTER IS BACK, AND WE’RE LOVING LA NIÑA! You’ve prayed, hoped, and danced for snow all winter, and it’s finally here! Western Montana’s mountains are busier than ever before, with new and veteran backcountry users enjoying the goods. We want to help keep the stoke high while encouraging our...
If I am going to do just one test, I do an extended column test (ECT). It gives me some information on the strength of a weak layer, but most importantly, the likelihood of propagation. It is a simple test. A column 30cm (12”) by 90cm (36”) is...
What is SWE? SWE stands for Snow Water Equivalent. What it measures is the amount of liquid water in the snow. If you took a height of snow and melted it, the height of the water created is SWE. For example, if 10″ of snow falls at 10% density,...
Winter has arrived, and rallying in support of your avalanche center has gone virtual. Don’t despair; the Pray for Snow tradition is alive and well! While we won’t be gathering in person this year, the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation invites you to our first-ever Pray for Snow online...
Dear Missoula & Beyond, While my involvement with Missoula Avalanche stretches back 14 or 15 years, in the coming months, I will be retiring after 13 years of official duties. This will be both a rewarding shift and a bittersweet farewell. Over the years, I’ve served as the board...
Dear Friends, These are challenging times, and as a community-powered organization, we depend on you to make avalanche forecasts and educational programs possible. This year, more than ever, avalanche forecasting and education funding are uncertain. We expect reduced funding this year to impact us next season, and we are...
It isn’t hyperbole to assert that the current COVID19 world health crisis is profoundly affecting every single one of us. For some, there are worries about losing family members or friends with underlying health issues, others face challenging household-level economic uncertainties. It is a tough time all around, and...
Dear Friends, We at Missoula Avalanche recognize the growing uncertainty that you are facing right now and share your concern. Please know that we are committed to helping you stay safe and wish everyone the best during these challenging times. As a public safety organization, our top priority is...
This month’s snowpack update comes as we transition from winter to spring. As of March 22, the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) totals in west central Montana are just above average (Figure 1). After a month of small storms and average temperatures, our primary avalanche concerns are focused on...
Snowpack Discussion The snowpack continues to evolve in West Central Montana. In late January, our primary avalanche concern was persistent slab avalanches failing on facets at the bottom of the snowpack. During this time period, several natural persistent slab avalanches failed near the ground. Although the exact timing remains...
Avalanche conditions from January 11th until January 24th have been at considerable danger, trending towards moderate danger. We are currently most concerned with persistent weak layers, failing near the ground on depth hoar and facets. The second problematic persistent weak layer is a combination buried surface hoar, near-surface facets, and crusts. This weak layer is found at different...
1-10-20 Snowpack Update After the winter solstice, we got a small snowstorm that deposited a few inches of snow and a crust layer on the top of the snowpack. Before the New Year storm cycle, we developed a surface hoar, crust, near-surface combo, which has been the cause of...
Charge down to the Rhino and help support your local avalanche center – Missoula Avalanche. The Rhino has teamed up with Rebel Yell Kentucky Whiskey and PBR to help support Missoula Avalanche with the raffle of an amazing prize package. Each raffle ticket includes a shot of Rebel...
Preliminary Report of Lake Dinah Avalanche Accident On January 01, 2020, at approximately 1400hrs, three snowmobilers were involved in an avalanche approximately 1 mile NW of Lake Dinah, 12 miles NW of Seeley Lake, MT. The riders were caught and carried a short distance, two were fully buried, and...
Snowpack Summary 24/12/2019 What to say about this season’s snowpack? It’s the focus of many conversations I’m having recently, mostly about when we are going to get one. From a ski and snowboard perspective, it’s a bit grim, high snow line, lots of exposed hazards, poor snowpack structure with...
It’s time to get excited for winter with another great film from your friends at Faction Skis & Red Bull Media House. Join us this Thursday, Nov. 7th, at the Roxy theater for the Missoula premiere of The Collective. Doors open at 7 PM with the show starting at...
West Central Montana Avalanche Center Avalanche Forecaster Position Currently one Missoula based position available: Full-time seasonal Position Overview/Summary: West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC) Avalanche Forecasters deliver avalanche forecasts and other information as required for the West Central Montana avalanche forecast area. The forecast area covers approximately 908,721 acres and...
Greetings From Missoula Avalanche Winter is just around the corner, and the biggest backcountry event in the region is coming up. The 13th Annual Pray For Snow Party will be held on Friday, October 4th from 5-10 pm at the Caras Park Pavillion in Missoula, Montana. If you have...
WCMAC forecasters are in the field analyzing how recent storm snow is gaining strength, tracking where the wind is drifting snow and keeping a close eye on buried persistent weak layers. This Thursday 1/10/19 from 6 – 8 PM at Big Sky Brewing, they will return from a day in...
Unfortunately, we just received word that an avalanche fatality occurred yesterday outside of Choteau. Preliminary information is that the individual was in a snowmobile group and not wearing an avalanche transceiver. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims family and friends. Flathead Avalanche Center staff will be...
Looking to become more familiar with avalanche awareness information or brush up on key safety points before heading into the backcountry? Check out the new Know Before You Go (KBYG) e-learning program from the Utah Avalanche Center. This free interactive learning platform is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about...
We are excited to partner with the Mountain Riding Lab again this year to provide high-quality motorized level 1 courses designed specifically for snowmobilers and snow bikers. These courses focus on developing a solid foundation in avalanche knowledge and how it applies it to mountain riding. Grab your riding...
Time to mark your calendar for Missoula Avalanche’s 12th Annual Pray For Snow Party! This big bash benefits West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC) public avalanche awareness information and education opportunities. Festivities will include live music, local food vendors, Big Sky Brewing beverages, awesome raffle prizes, fun and more! With an increasing number...
Backcountry Magazine | Press Release: ORTOVOX ISSUES RECALL OF 3+ AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS RUNNING SOFTWARE VERSION 2.1
Each US Avalanche Center is supported by an affiliated nonprofit entity, or friends group. In essence, the center provides the structure and technical know-how and the non-profit entity engages in fundraising and outreach. Nationwide, more than 50% of avalanche center operational costs are covered by community donations and other...
🗓 | Today! Event: Missoula Gives Date: May 4th Time: Now – 10 PM MST Location: Join us from anywhere and everywhere through our online giving platform: WCMAF | Missoula Gives Missoula Gives provides a great opportunity to give where you live and support the avalanche center services you rely on. Giving goal...
Education | Fundraising | General | Snowpack | Weather
Avalanche forecasters play a critical role in protecting the public and raising avalanche awareness by communicating the potential for avalanches to cause harm or injury to backcountry travelers. West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC) forecasters work to keep you informed of the danger avalanches pose by gathering as much information as possible from...
Generating backcountry travel plans without avalanche center forecast information requires knowledge of weather events. Review snotel data for current snow totals and weather station data for temperatures, wind trends, and speeds. With these tools, you can get an idea of the avalanche problems you could encounter on your trip and choose appropriate terrain...
Education | Fundraising | Snowpack | Weather
This Thursday evening, February 22nd from 6-8 pm, Big Sky Brewing will be hosting our Beers With Your Avalanche Forecaster finale! In an ongoing effort to help us make the Montana backcountry a safer place, Big Sky Brewing is donating event proceeds to the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation....
Grab your riding buddies and get trained! Spots still available for the upcoming Mechanized Snowmachine | Avalanche Level 1 Course Dates: 2.23.18 – 2.25.18 Register Now & Secure Your Spot! Details & Registration | Link
The course is taught from a mechanized snowmachine perspective by certified avalanche instructors with 20+ years of mountain riding experience and excellent avalanche education skills. The course is designed for recreational riders, guides, and search and rescue teams. Participants will focus on how to avoid being caught in avalanche situations...
Many avalanche victims don’t know they are in avalanche danger and are unprepared to deal with an avalanche. This doesn’t have to happen – the danger signs are usually obvious to those who know what to look for. Just as those in Hawaii learn about the dangers of rip...
We are excited to offer new avalanche education offerings developed specifically for snowmobilers and mechanized mountain riders. These courses are taught from a mechanized perspective by certified avalanche instructors with 20+ years of mountain riding experience and excellent avalanche education skills. These courses are designed for recreational riders, guides, and...
The week started out simply enough, a scattered inch here and there before dramatically shifting mid-week. Wednesday brought a foot of snow to the Seeley Lake area and inch and a half of water. The northern half of the advisory area got the most snow and water from the...
This weeks weather is easier to summarized than the last two weeks. There were no storms bringing feet of snow, just the occasional inch or two here and there. It may come as a surprise considering the lack of any major weather events but this week was marked by...
Has it been a while since you took your Level 1 Avalanche Course? The Level 1 Refresher Course is a great opportunity for refining your skills and catching up on best practices for decision making in avalanche terrain. Check out the upcoming Level 1 Refresher Course while spots are...
