With spring snow occurring in the mountain ranges across the Custer Gallatin National Forest, avalanche experts are cautioning people headed to the backcountry.
The snowpack at lower elevations becomes more unstable as temperatures warm up and the top layer melts.
The same applies to higher elevations where new snow and wind on the already frozen layer can make conditions dangerous.
Director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center Doug Chabot said the safest time to be in the backcountry would be early in the morning while it’s still cold.
“When you leave the house and you go out skiing if there’s a supportable crust, things are safe, by the afternoon that crust a lot of times melts and so as soon as it melts that means the avalanche danger is rising and we need to head on out of there,” Chabot said.
The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center still releases advisories every Monday and Friday.
Click here for the latest avalanche conditions.
-Reported by Carson Vickroy/MTN News
