Manifesto/Bio
Originally from Boise, Idaho, I ventured to Missoula for the University of Montana's School of Journalism. I major in that, and minor in all things… More »
Jessica Murri
Recent Posts
Who is Hank Patterson, Your Fly Fishing Expert?
Montana’s rivers are filled with folks in hip waders and fishing vests, casting fly rods with skill and grace.
(Head Out) Apr 26, 2013
An Ill-Conceived Plan
With a whole day ahead of us and nowhere to be (the bowl is closed now, after all), my S.O. and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Weir Creek Hot Springs.
(Head Out) Apr 14, 2013
ContourROAM Pros and Cons
I was pretty stoked to learn my significant other won a Contour helmet cam when the last Matchstick ski movie rolled through Missoula.
(Gear Reports) Feb 5, 2013
Recent Articles
Ruff and ready
How to outfit the outdoor rec enthusiast’s best friend
We’ve seen it before: Those sad eyes.
(Head Gear) Jun 1, 2013
Fresh tracks
Previewing the upcoming powder season
Teton Pass reopens, and tree skiing improves at Big Sky.
(Head Lines & Features) Dec 1, 2012
Recent Comments
Re: “Izaak Walton Inn & Resort”
SNOW REPORT FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH:
Closed for the season.
Re: “Mission Mountains Wilderness”
SNOW REPORT FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH:
This is a public observation from missoulaavalanche.org for Tuesday, April 9th on the Sheepshead SW face and McDonald Peak:
"Sunny, calm, cold – lows in teens, highs in mid-30s. 0-3" new snow.
"I did not dig a pit. Newer snow amounts above 7,000′ were: 3″ of light new snow, 8″ of settled snow from Friday – Sunday. All this sat on a stout crust from the warm spell. The new snow had bonded extremely well to the old crust on all aspects below 8,500′, and adequately above that.
"I was seeing some cracking around switchbacks. Hand pits on all aspects showed some clean shears within the new snow (up to 8″ deep), and I was able to ski cut out some 6″ slabs in starting zones. The range had gone through a moderate avalanche cycle late last week, with some of the big faces putting down impressive piles of wet avalanche debris. Since the cool off on sunday, avalanche activity was limited to sluffing in the new snow.
"I felt comfortable skiing pretty much everything, but headed out a few hours early to avoid wet slides late in the day.
"It is also worth noting that avalanche conditions have been consistently in the moderate range over the past week – I turned around on Castle crag (Bitterroot – Sheafman creek) on Saturday 4/6 due to unanticipated fresh wind slabs to 1.5′ in depth, and on Sunday 4/7, my partner triggered a 6″ slab which propogated wall-to-wall in the Eagle chute (Rattlesnake – north aspect, 45 degrees, 7,500′, north of Stuart peak)."
Thanks Brian Story!
Re: “Canyon Creek”
SNOW REPORT FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH:
This is a public observation from missoulaavalanche.org from Tuesday, April 9th.
"25 [degrees] at 4200′ that morning, sunny and rapid warming as the day went on. No wind. 6-12" new snow.
"We toured up Canyon Creek in the Bitterroots quickly realizing our original objective, the south face of canyon proper was going to be too warm and sunny with the unexpected amount new snow. Headed for the NE face of Canyon Peak and dug pit mid way up apron on an NE aspect about 8000′. 10″ new snow failed ECT1 Q2. All aspects except due north heavily affected by sun with a weak unconsolidated slab. Bailed on Canyon proper and headed for a true north facing, less exposed run off of North Canyon Peak. As seen in the photo, an E and SE slope across the basin had evidence of large and recent point release avalanches. Skied the north facing run. The snow was cold, deep, and stable."
Thanks Blake Votilla!
Re: “Big Sky Resort”
SNOW REPORT FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH:
Big Sky got 1-3 inches overnight, 1-3 inches yesterday, and 3-5 inches in the last 48 hours. Not bad for the closing weekend. It's currently 23 degrees and socked in, with winds at 15 mph. There's a base depth of 50 inches at the bottom and 75 up top. Surface conditions include new snow and machine groomed. The following lifts are closed: Cascade Triple, Little Thunder 2, Lone Moose Triple, and Pony Express Triple. 94% of the mountain is still open. AND there's a pond skimming event at 3pm.
GET SOME!!
Re: “Blacktail Mountain Ski Area”
SNOW REPORT FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH:
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Re: “Bridger Bowl”
SNOW REPORT FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH:
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Twitter
Facebook
RSS
Re: “Bass Peak”
SNOW REPORT FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 28th:
This is a public observation from missoulaavalanche.org for Friday, April 19th for the north central Bitterroots. 0-3 inches new snow.
"Remote trigger large wind slab on east/southeast-facing slope in Bass Creek drainage. New snow poorly bonded to old sun/wind crust layers. Long varied crown of slide along beak in slope, width approx. 1500′. Slide traveled downhill about 600′ Glade and trees skiing was good above 7000′ with varied spring snow conditions ranging from zipper crusts to crud."
Thanks, K2.