Boletín de aludes

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Fri
Alta montaña
2 · Moderado
Límite del bosque
1 · Débil
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó last year. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Today's snow and wind may form fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. Snowpack cracking means you've found a sensitive slab. Sluffs are possible in very steep terrain facing the northern half of the compass. Even small slides can have big consequences on slopes with cliffs, trees, and terrain traps. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.

Problemas de aludes

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Unlikely
    Tamaño
    2–2.5

    Slabs exist above layers of weak snow buried during February storms. Before triggering an avalanche, you're unlikely to experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You are most likely to trigger a slide where:

    • The snowpack is relatively shallow - where the wind frequently blows, spots may exist where the slab is not uniformly thick
    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass

    (2/26/2025) Large slab avalanche on Boulder Peak, Boulder Mountains. SE @ 10,000'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Be on the lookout for thin, freshly forming wind slabs near and below ridgelines and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Some of these slabs may release naturally and others will be easy to trigger. Today's snowfall and a steady moderate to strong E and NE wind will move new and existing soft snow from shadier aspects onto slick crusts on sunnier slopes that face south and west. Slabs will be larger and more widespread at upper elevations, but may also be found in exposed middle elevation terrain. Cracks clearly indicate an unstable slab.

Avalanche Discussion

Today's storm will heavily favor the mountains east and south of Galena Summit including portions of the Boulders and Pioneers favored by an uncommon easterly flow. Steady moderate to strong wind will easily trasport new and existing dry snow, redepositing it in fresh drifts that form over stiff and potentially slick crusts. If snowfall arrives as expected we'll see some natural wind slab avalanches today and freshly formed slabs may be easy to trigger.

In more wind-sheltered terrain, anticipate the chance of triggering loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on north-facing slopes. Recent warm weather has caused cornices to sag, releasing onto the slopes below or opening cracks along ridgelines. Cornices are a real hazard this time of year and can break further back from the edge than you may think. 

Remember that even small slides can have outsized consequences in extreme terrain. To stack the odds in your favor, give yourself multiple route options, ride and ski within your ability, and share the day with a skilled partner.

 

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