#4 Beartooth Peak, Montana - TOP 10 MOST AVALANCHE PRONE U.S. AREAS
 |
Photo courtesy: nps.gov Beartooth Peak sits silently in the snow but is home to nearly 400 species of plants and wildlife. |
A remote region of south central Montana, the Beartooth Mountains were not formally explored until 1878. Since that time, nearly 400 species of plants and wildlife have been documented, making the Beartooths one of the most biologically unique mountain ranges in the country. She's named for Beartooth Peak, which perfectly resembles a giant shredding tooth, of the great grizzlies policing this area. This region of spectacular views and unique nature makes the area popular among cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and hikers. It's this last group of mountain enthusiasts who frequent this area that have renamed Peak 12000+ as "Avalanche Peak". Westerly winds cause large cornices to form on the ridges around Beartooth Peak. Cornices are those beautiful snow-built overhangs, bridges to nowhere, caused by high winds blowing over ridge tops.
 |
| Photo :This distinctively shaped peak has a striking resemblance to the Grizzly's shredding tooth that gives the peak its name. |
During storms or periods of rapid warming, these cornices can become unstable and crash down the mountain. The weight of the tumbling snow mass is more than enough to trigger an avalanche. Cornices, dubbed "the bombs of the backcountry", are intentionally knocked off ridges by climbers and ski patrol to test the stability of the slope below. This test is not for the layman. That is, unless you want an active role, rolling along down the mountain with the cornice that once supported your panoramic view. A view which becomes your last!
Guns, Blood, & Skis: The History of Ski Warfare

You can't spell skirmish without ski. The history of skiing and its early development is intertwined with bloody conflicts...
Five All-Mountain skis at REI.com for the skiing nomad

For the skier who likes to ski all over the mountain and only plans on buying one pair of skis this season, the five models...
The Ski Channel is Everything Mountain

Check out this sick promo video for the Ski Channel!
E-mail to Friend