The goat got lucky. Photos: Montana Fish and Wildlife and Big Sky Resort
How did we miss this? In mid-December, ski patrol at Big Sky Resort in western Montana reported that a mountain goat had triggered an avalanche – a sizable slide at that – in terrain that was closed at the time. The debris pile flushed over a steep rock band. The description from ski patrol about the slide was spot on and detailed the goat’s fate as well.
“Further investigation of the avalanche yesterday showed goat tracks leading into the crown area of the avalanche,” wrote patrol in a report on the Gallatin Nation al Forest’s avalanche site. “At the debris pile, it was obvious that a goat had taken the full ride in the slide that it triggered. There was a depression in the debris pile where the critter had come to rest at the surface, and obvious hoof prints trailing away from the debris pile, and then upslope for the long walk back up to rejoin the heard. There was no blood, and the tracks looked usual, with no obvious sign of broken leg(s). It is unknown if the goat was wearing an airbag or if it was deployed in the avalanche. It was a significant ride, 1,000 feet, 1⁄4 mile linear, likely of high speed…… which was taken down to mostly bare ground.”
Yikes. Yes, it’s highly unlikely the goat was wearing an avalanche airbag, even though that might’ve helped. NBC Montana reported that the slide occurred on Lone Peak, which is accessed by the Lone Peak Tram when the mountain is fully open.
