The Big M-T : Beta Scout Bulletin

Beta Scout is proud to announce the addition of the Bridger Ski Foundation to our growing list of OFFICIALs. Since enlisting, Bob Seibert at the BSF has diligently posted the conditions and grooming reports for all the community nordic trails maintained by BSF and the Gallatin National Forest. This week's posts are also provided by the GNF Avalanche Center and the Gallatin National Forest.

If you haven't already joined, Beta Scout is FREE. Once signed up, you'll have access to a sharing community of outdoor enthusiasts AND the best, most current compilation of SW Montana condition reports available.

Bridger Ski Foundation (OFFICIAL):
1/27 @ 10:30am -- NORDIC SKIING -- Bozeman Community Nordic Trails"NORDIC TRAIL GROOMING REPORT LINDLEY/HIGHLAND TRAILS: No grooming, waiting for snow. SOURDOUGH CANYON (BOZEMAN CREEK): Ginzu groomed this morning to Moser Divide. First mile is water ice that can’t be improved with snowmobile/Ginzu grooming on a cold morning. Skate lane improves beyond mile one but is not good until between the outhouse and the bridge. No new classic tracks and the lower existing tracks are all ice. BRIDGER CREEK GOLF COURSE: No grooming, waiting for snow. HYALITE TRAILS: Luke is up there this morning. I’ll up-date the grooming report once we hear from him."
www.bridgerskifoundation.org/

Avalanche Guys (OFFICIAL):
1/27 @ 6:15am -- BACKCOUNTRY -- Southwest Montana
"This is backcountry avalanche information from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center and expires tonight at midnight. The most unstable snowpack exists near West Yellowstone and in the southern Madison Range. With more snow and high winds yesterday, the avalanche danger in these areas is HIGH on steep, wind loaded slopes. Near Cooke City and Big Sky, the snowpack is more variable but human triggered avalanches are still likely and the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. The mountains around Bozeman continue to receive very little snow. Without the stress of new snow added to the snowpack and without new snow to form widespread wind slabs, the avalanche danger in these areas is MODERATE. For more information about current snow and avalanche conditions, please call the Avalanche Advisory at 587-6981 or visit our website."
www.mtavalanche.com

Gallatin National Forest (OFFICIAL):
1/23 -- NORDIC SKIING -- Hyalite Drainage
"FS crews groomed Blackmore/History Rock loops, Crescent Lake, Sleeping Giant, and Maxey Cabin area. Cleaned and soften up icy tracked trails. Started snowing as crews were going home, creating a nice creamy layer of fresh snow on top of fresh groomed routes making for some really nice skiing. Main road to Grotto Falls TRHD has been plowed, making easy access to the Hyalite area. Roads are compact snow and ice. Drive with caution."
www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin

And a few enthusiastic words from one of Beta Scout's most devoted members:

peppersperson
1/24 @ 3:45pm -- SKIING/SNOWBOARDING (RESORTS) -- Bridger Bowl Ski Area
"I was feeling guilty for my absence at BB, and feeling sad about the recent power outage and plain old bad luck up there this year. Imagine my surprise when the skiing today wasn't just good - it was REALLY GOOD! Skied the face of Bronco in soft, creamy powder (no icy moguls yet!) and several runs on Slushmans that far exceeded my expectations. Yes indeed there are rocks, so beware."
-TBM

Editor's Note: To be eligible for this week's Beta-Scout.com raffle, members need only make a post WITH AT LEAST ONE PHOTO ATTACHED that pertains to the week from 1/24 to 1/30 (ending at midnight this coming Monday). The winner will receive a small gift package from REI-Bozeman, so get out there and show us what you can do.

Last night, the temperature ducked under freezing, but now it is forty-two degrees with a pale mist. It’ll be my first time swinging ice tools in the rain.

Ice climbing usually conjures images of snowy mountains, sheer cliffs, rugged terrain, from locales like Hyalite, the South Fork, or maybe somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. But a perfect storm swept me from those pristine places and I was deposited along the banks of the Erie Canal.

I walk alone on well-worn path by the water, past Lock 17, to a frosty cliff that I spotted on yesterday’s run. The frozen dribbles I seek are laughable in comparison to one of the aforementioned offerings, but I am in no position to be choosey.

Behind me are not desolate peaks or choked valleys, but an old city birthed in a time of Tories and Patriots. Its population is one-third of its peak a century ago, and cobbled streets lace a line of hollowed factories that once produced woolen and cotton textiles, paper, cornstarch and cheese, bicycles, hammers, shoes, mattresses, bookcases, and GE radios. The buildings are wrapped in impressive but crumbling masonry with shattered windows and smokestacks that discharged their final puff decades ago—it could be any number of the defunct manufacturing towns across America.

In Tuesday’s State of the Union, President Obama highlighted manufacturing

Despite plenty of meteorological activity in the Northern Rockies this week, the chatter didn't translate into all the snow forecasted near Bozeman. Below, we've compiled the most up-to-date "OFFICIAL" posts regarding regional conditions from the outdoor social network, Beta-Scout.com. This week's posts are provided by the GNF Avalanche Center and Big Sky Resort.

If you haven't already joined, Beta Scout is FREE. Once signed up, you'll have access to an enthusiastic community sharing their outdoor experiences and photographs from all over Montana and the Northern Rockies.

Avalanche Guys (OFFICIAL):
1/20 @ 5:30am -- BACKCOUNTRY
"AVALANCHE WARNING CONTINUED ON JANUARY 20 2012 AT 5:30 am. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center continues a Backcountry Avalanche Warning for the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City. Heavy snow continues to fall on an extremely weak snowpack causing unstable conditions. Avalanches were triggered yesterday and more will occur. Today the avalanche danger is HIGH on all slopes. Areas of unstable snow exist. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Avalanche terrain including avalanche runout zones should be avoided. You are urged to call the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory for more detailed information. Bozeman, Livingston, Cooke City and West Yellowstone………406-587-6981 Information is also available at the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center’s Web site at: www.mtavalanche.com This warning will either be terminated or updated by 6:00 AM on January 21, 201
Big Sky Resort (OFFICIAL):
1/20 @ 9:30am -- RESORTS (SKIING/SNOWBOARDING)
"4-5 fresh inches, mild temps, and windless skies are making for awesome conditions mountain-wide. Head to Andesite, Challenger, and The Bowl for the best runs." www.bigskyresort.com

And looking ahead...

LtownGuide
1/19 @ 8:45am -- FISHING
"Upper Yellowstone River snowpack is currently at 77% of normal. While this is quite low for this time of the year it looks like this incoming storm from the Pacific could make a big upward change in our snow pack. Remember more snow means cooler water temps in the summer and happy fish!"

-TBM

Editor's Note: Beta-Scout.com has a raffle underway. For eligibility, just make a post for the week from 1/17 to 1/23 (Monday). Raffle winners receive a water bottle from REI Bozeman and a coupon for 20% off REI brand gear and apparel, plus the altruistic glow that comes from sharing good outdoor info and pictures with fellow Montanans. Trust us, it looks better than any off-th-shelf bronzer.