6 January 2006
 
 Good morning. This is Ron Johnson with the Gallatin National Forest
 Avalanche Advisory issued Friday, January 6, at 7:30 a.m. 

 AVALANCHE INCIDENT

 Yesterday, a snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Cooke City,
 Montana. Five riders were highmarking about noon when the avalanche
 released on the south end of Mt. Abundance. All of the riders were
 carrying avalanche rescue gear. Three were able to ride out of the
 avalanche. One was caught but not buried or injured. The fifth member
 of the party was buried under 2 feet of debris. He was located and dug
 out within 10 minutes but efforts to resuscitate him were futile. Our
 sympathy goes to the friends, family and rescuers associated with this
 tragic event. 

 MOUNTAIN WEATHER

 Yesterday, mountain temperatures warmed to the 20s to low 30s F and
 westerly ridgetop winds blew 20 40 mph. Today, mountain temperatures
 will soar into the 30s F and ridgetop winds will remain westerly at 20
 40 mph. By Saturday evening, cooler and wetter weather is expected to
 reach southwest Montana.

 SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

 The mountain around Cooke City and the Washburn Range:

 Yesterdays avalanche was one of several avalanches to release in the
 mountains around Cooke City on Wednesday and Thursday. We heard about
 these slides last evening. These avalanches released on steep slopes
 and indicate that unstable snow exists. Today, a CONSIDERABLE
 avalanche danger exists on all slopes steeper than 35 degrees. A
 MODERATE danger exists on less steep slopes.

 Scott Schmidt will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning at 7:30