Advisory January 19 2017
New Advisory January 19, 2017 Avalanche Advisory for January 19, 2017
Wind Slabs
We have had two public observations of wind slabs in the Bitterroot. Take a look before you head out. Remember identify wind slabs and avoid them. These slabs are on many different aspects, and some slopes are cross-loaded due to the changes in wind direction over the last couple...
Mountain Weather Lectures
In conjunction with U of M Campus Recreation we will be hosting a free Mountain Weather Class. Featuring guest speaker, LeeAnne Allegretto, Meteorologist and Avalanche Program Leader from The National Weather Service. The class will be in the North Urey Underground Lecture Hall from 600pm -800pm Part 1 on January 12...
Weather Update
Winter Weather Update: Large snow totals predicted. As this system enters our area we will update the advisory as needed.
2016-2017 News Release
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center (WCMAC) has announced the following staff changes for the upcoming 2016-2017 winter avalanche season. Travis Craft, has assumed leadership responsibilities for the center. Steve Karkanen, director of the center since 2006, retired at the end of the 2015-2016 season. Karkanen, an avalanche specialist...
2016 Pray For Snow Party – 10th Annual!
The 10th Annual Pray for Snow Party will be taking place at Caras Park on Friday, October 21st from 5:30-10:30. Come listen to the sweet sounds of Caroline Keys and the Lane Splitters and then the Come listen to the sweet sounds of Caroline Keys and the Lane Splitters and...
RIMO Slide Show March 24th
Skip Horner has guided worldwide adventures for more than 40 years, including scaling the highest mountain on every continent, rafting over a dozen wild rivers on five continents,and skiing the highest peaks in the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Rimo 1 expedition was a multi-national expedition into India’s remote...
What is Avanet?
Avanet is a new online platform that allows people to record and share mountain safety observations in real time. Currently you can sign up for free as a recreational user and have access to all of the mapping, route planning and observation tools that it offers. You can sign...
Recent Avalanches
In the past week, 4 individuals have died in avalanches in CO, WY, UT and here in MT bringing the season total to 10 as of January 23. The accident in SW MT Tuesday hits close to home as it involved an avalanche professional. Darren Johnson, a professional ski...
Level 1 Refresher Update
Hey folks, We are in the process of expanding our education program! We realize that there are a lot of well educated people out in the backcountry who are looking for a course to update their avalanche skills. We are super excited to be able to offer a Level 1 Refresher course...
Montana Avalanche Fatality
We are sad to report that the first Montana avalanche death of the 2015/16 season occurred over the weekend in Cooke City, MT. See Video The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is investigating the incident and a full report will be archived in the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s web data-base....
AAI Level 2 in Missoula Jan. 2-5, 2016
The American Avalanche Institute is teaming up with missoulaavalanche and the University of Montana Outdoor Program to offer a Level 2 Avalanche class in Missoula. A level 2 course is designed for students with level 1 avalanche skills. Participants will go deeper into the science of snow metamorphism, and...
2015 Pray For Snow Party
Whoop! It’s that time of year again! Bring your snow buddies to pray to the snow gods down at Caras Park from 5-10:30pm on Friday October 2nd and help support the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation. Music by local favorites The Skurfs and the funky sounds of Shakewell. We’ll...
West Central MT Avalanche Center Education 2015 Season
The mission of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center and its friends group, missoulaavalanche, is to provide avalanche information for west central Montana. That is accomplished by providing avalanche advisories and avalanche education programs. It is the beginning of March and educators with the Center have racked up some...
Avalanche at Freeride World Tour
This is excellent! Take the time to fully read the subtitles in the interviews and hear how many precautions are taken and how many resources made available before the decision is made to jump in. Even with the best available information, it’s never a 100% certainty that the snow...
Missoula Avalanche – Kettlehouse (Northside) Community UNite Fundraiser – Wednesday, Feb 4th – 5-8PM
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 4th and join us for a mid-season brew-for-a-cause! The Kettlehouse Brewery continues to support MissoulaAvalanche.org with its Community UNite “Pint Night” tradition…and we couldn’t be more appreciative. They have helped so many Missoula organizations and non-profits since introducing this fundraising option so many...
Free Transceiver Clinic at Lolo Pass
On Sunday January 18th, we will have one of our instructors available from 10am to 2pm (mountain time) to demonstrate how transceivers work and how you can quickly and efficiently find a buried companion. This clinic will be at the Beacon Park next to the visitor center. Just show...
Avalanche Hazard & Weather Forecasting Program
Missoulaavalanche and the West Central Montana Avalanche Center are offering a unique education opportunity on January 21 from 6-8pm at the Trailhead, 221 Front St. in Missoula. Avalanche Hazard and Weather Forecasting for Back-country Recreationists A free presentation designed to improve your avalanche hazard and weather forecasting skills! Sponsored by Missoulaavalanche, the West Central...
Beware the “false stable” snowpit
In this video we shot on December 21, 2014 I get a result of ECTN 6 in my Extended Column Test. I had just remotely triggered a medium / large wind slab avalanche on approach to this area. The “bull’s eye” data is clear; the snowpack is unstable. The...
Knowledge is POWDER!
This 10 minute video From the Utah Avalanche Center captures these 5 essential points regarding backcountry avalanche safety. Get the gear Get the training Get the forecast Get the picture Get out of harm’s way The video was produced by the UAC with financial support from the International Snowmobile...
