Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Avalanches are unlikely, and most slopes are safe.  Yesterday's storm may have formed small, isolated wind drifts at upper elevations. Sunshine could produce wet loose avalanches on slopes that directly face the sun. 

This Soldiers & Wood River Valley zone only picked up 1-2 inches of snow from yesterday's storm. Additionally, below-freezing temperatures overnight and curbed the burgeoning wet snow problem. As a result, there is no clearly defined avalanche problem. Yesterday's storm may have formed small, isolated drifts at upper elevations—this may be more common in the Soldiers where it was windier. With sun today, wet snow avalanches may become possible on slopes that directly face the sun, especially at lower elevations. 

CONTINUE TO USE NORMAL CAUTIONThe potential for avalanches only truly goes to zero once the entire snowpack has melted. In light of that, continue to exercise caution when traveling in the backcountry. What does normal caution look like?

• Make a solid plan before a day in the backcountry. A plan helps you anticipate hazards (of which avalanches are only one), identify options for the day, and ensure everyone is prepared for an emergency.
• Perform a trailhead gear check. A proper beacon check ensures everyone's transceiver can send and receive a signal. Is everyone's radio working and on the right channel? Airbags armed and in working order?
• Maintain situational awareness. Don't let your guard down even when the snowpack is generally stable. If you see a wind-loaded slope or another indicator of potential instability, don't assume it's safe just because the danger is Low. Identify and avoid other hazards such as large cornices. 
• Communicate with your partners. As you travel through the mountains talk with your partners. Are you seeing what you were expecting to see when you made your plan in the morning or are conditions different than you thought that they would be? Do you need to adjust your plan accordingly?
• Continue to use safe travel practices. It's easy to get sloppy with your travel practices during periods of stability. Continue to minimize your group's exposure to potential avalanche hazards, ideally traveling one at a time through steep terrain.
• Minimize your exposure to hazards. The likelihood of encountering any sort of problem in life increases when you spend more time exposed to that hazard. You are more likely to be involved in a car accident if you drive every day of the year than you are if you only drive once a week. The same is true in the backcountry.