Lawinenlagebericht

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Triggering large, destructive avalanches has become unlikely, but not impossible. You can avoid steep, rocky terrain where the wind has drifted or stiffened the snow surface to reduce your chances of finding trouble. Small, loose snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes that face the sun.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    You're mostly likely to trigger a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche on slopes facing the northern 2/3 of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. Some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Cornices, wind-pillows, and textured surfaces indicate the wind has been at work.  
    • If you see rocks sticking out of the snow, expect variable snowpack depths. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs, near ridgelines, and along rocky, mid-slope ribs.

    Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain near steep slopes remains a possibility. If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. You can read the Forecast Discussion below for some tips on managing lingering Persistent Slab avalanche problems. 

    Additional discussion: You may encounter small, easy-to-trigger, wind slabs at upper elevations, particularly in alpine terrain. Be on the lookout for wind-loaded features near ridgelines and along the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Shooting cracks are a clear indication of wind-transported snow. On very steep, sun-exposed southerly slopes that are sheltered from the wind, small loose snow avalanches may occur and could release naturally. Pay attention to the terrain above you. 

    (1/11/2025) We observed this recent wind slab avalanche above Dollarhide Summit in an obviously cross-loaded gully. We estimate that it failed on January 8/9 during peak winds. There may also be evidence of a refilled, deeper persistent slab avalanche along the ridgeline.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

You are most likely to trigger avalanches on shallow slopes near ridgelines or any terrain exposed to the wind, at middle and upper elevations on the north half of the compass. The following visual clues can help identify areas of concern:

  • A wind-drifted or stiffened snow surface—indicated by cornices, ripples, or dunes.
  • Slopes peppered with exposed rocks are a visual clue that thin spots may exist.
  • "Prime-time" avalanche terrain, steeper than about 35 degrees. Triggering a large avalanche is most likely where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees. 

Professionals across the forecast area have continued to express concern about venturing into larger terrain. Instead, they’ve opted for a more cautious, "tip-toe" approach—choosing slopes with uniform, planar entrances and short sections of lower-angle avalanche terrain (low 30 degree slopes). We can all follow suit by selecting similar terrain and avoiding huge avalanche paths and those with mid-slope rock bands or terrain traps (trees, creeks, and gullies at the bottom).

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