Boletín de aludes

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Tue
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
2 · Moderado
Bajo el límite
1 · Débil
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 4 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Human triggered avalanches remain possible as recent snow and variable wind has added stress to weak layers of snow buried 2-4 feet below the surface across most aspects and elevations. Areas with increased sensitivity will be in wind loaded or rocky, shallow terrain. Conservative decision making and cautious route finding are still advised.

Problemas de aludes

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–3

    Persistent weak layers across all aspects in the middle and upper elevations are still buried in the snowpack. Slab depths could range 2-4 feet with 2 main layers of concern. The November facets are buried 3-4 feet and are showing stubborn characteristics. Surface hoar and near surface facets formed in early December buried 2-3 feet have been more sensitive. Areas with increased sensitivity are those with a shallower snowpack and thus more well developed facets. Extra caution should be used in terrain that has been wind loaded, as triggering a wind slab could create enough force to step down to these persistent weak layers. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs have developed above 8500' over the last several days with light to moderate winds that have shifted direction from westerly to northerly. Snow from the last storm cycle is still available for transport, especially in the upper elevations. Slab depths will likely be 1 to 2 feet but could be as deep as 3 feet in isolated areas.

Avalanche Discussion

Powder fever, that euphoric feeling we all know riding fresh snow. November and December have provided us with ample opportunity to pursue this feeling. For many of us, winter has already felt long. But with January upon us, it’s important to take a step back and understand that the snow is still transitioning from an early to mid-season snowpack. 

For the Greys, this transition is lingering between the two. Persistent weak layers are still showing sensitivity, but are becoming more stubborn as they get buried deeper in the snowpack. This is especially true with the November facets. The surface hoar and near surface facets from early December aren’t buried as deep, and are showing more sensitivity to propagate a failure during stability tests. Limited field time and poor visibility adds uncertainty to how these layers adjusted to the recent storm cycle. No persistent slab avalanches were reported during or after the storm. Regardless, the low probability high consequence scenario is still dictating how to manage terrain and create large margins of safety.

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