Snake River Range

Triggering an avalanche is unlikely today. Low danger does not mean no danger. Isolated pockets of unstable snow may exist in very steep terrain in the upper elevations. Evaluation of the snowpack and using safe travel protocols will be important prior to entering steep terrain today.

An outside chance remains to trigger avalanches in very steep terrain in the upper elevations. Weak layers in the upper 1-2 feet of the snowpack may be found in isolated areas beneath hard slabs on the north half of the compass. In the middle elevations, preserved layers of buried surface hoar could be found in isolated pockets, especially along creeks and in areas sheltered from the wind. While triggering is unlikely today, it is crucial to always practice safe travel habits. In this terrain, travel/expose one person at a time, watch your partners, use islands of safety when re-grouping and communicate your plans before moving.

It has been 10 days since the last precipitation fell out of the sky. Since that time, winds have redistributed snow into stiff wind slabs, primarily in the upper elevations. Slabs have had ample time to stabilize and adjust to underlying layers. Despite this, it remains important to remain vigilant, especially when travelling in very steep terrain. If venturing into terrain that is unsupported or above terrain traps, remember that even a small volume avalanche can carry significant consequences.

It is important to remember the tragic accident in the La Barge creek area occurred 8 days ago where a relatively small slide resulted in a fatality. Although the weather since that time has decreased the chances of triggering avalanches a small and unlikely event can still have severe consequences.

If you are out in the mountains today, please consider submitting an observation here. The more information we can gather the better it serves the entire community. For those that have submitted observations so far this season, thank you!