Boletín de aludes

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

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

Lo esencial

Natural and human-triggered wet avalanches are possible as warm sunshine melts surface snow. These often release below cornices or cliffs on very steep, rocky, wind-sheltered slopes that directly face the sun. Snowballs rolling downslope indicate the snow surface is softening, and loose snow avalanches may soon follow. Small, dry snow avalanches are possible on shadier upper elevation slopes.

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–1.5

    A skier triggered a sizeable wet loose slide yesterday (view photo), and isolated natural activity was observed. Natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible today as warm sunshine softens crusts and melts snow at the surface. These avalanches are most likey on very steep, rocky, wind-sheltered slopes while they are soaking in the sun. Many will initiate near exposed rocks and cliff bands, fanning out and growing in size as they move downhill atop slick crusts. Large slopes, chutes, and couloirs can produce powerful slides that could easily catch, injure, or bury people.

    A weaker overnight freeze last night will probably bring wet avalanches into play earlier than in the past couple days, and on more slopes. Larger slides that gouge deeper into wet snow or flank out as wet slabs can't be ruled out. Recently formed or overhanging cornices could fail on their own or with your weight, triggering avalanches on slopes beneath them. 

    How can we manage the wet snow issues? Timing is everything. Avoid steep slopes where you're sinking deep into a wet, mushy snowpack or easily punching down below weak, wet crusts. Wet pinwheels rolling downslope indicate the snow surface is softening, and loose snow avalanches may soon follow (photo at right/below).  Don't underestimate the power of wet avalanches. Be aware of the terrain above you and where an avalanche could carry you.

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION - DRY SNOW: In shadier (NW-N-NE) terrain above about 9000', triggering relatively small wind slab or loose snow avalanches is possible. Yesterday, natural and skier triggered sluffs were reported near Trail Creek Summit (view photo). Recognize that even small slides can have big consequences if they knock you over and carry you long distances or where you don't want to go. 

    (4/6/2024) Debris from a large wet slab that released in Basset Gulch near Baldy. This slide failed on a NNE aspect at 7,000', likely sometime on Thursday or Friday.

Avalanche Discussion

Wet SnowLast nights warmer temperatures and expected weaker freeze will shorten the time window that you don't have to worry about wet avalanches. Today's April sun and expected warmer temperatures will melt surface crusts, increasing the likelihood of wet snow avalanches. Natural wet loose avalanche activity in the past few days has primarily involved the snow from last week's storm. The activity peaked on Monday, waned on Tuesday, and was isolated yesterday. However, today's weather combined with the cumulative effect of several days of warm, sunny weather could cause an uptick in both the size and likelihood of wet avalanches. We can't rule out the chance of deeper wet slides that gouge into the snowpack, or "rogue" wet slabs.

If you're hunting corn today, wet snow stability could change quickly on some slopes. Be prepared to go to your plan B if you see signs of instability or something just doesn't feel right. Pay attention to overhead hazard (large cornices and big, avalanche paths above you) and minimize the time spent in the tracks or runouts of large, sunny avalanche paths.   

Dry SnowWet avalanche concerns top the problem list, but you can still find winter on shadier upper elevation slopes. Winds earlier this week formed thin slabs in alpine terrain, mostly just below ridges that guard the entrance to steep lines. Fresh cornice growth may be touchy and can break beneath your feet. Dry loose snow slides can run faster and farther than you expect due to the slick crusts beneath the newer snow on many slopes.

While the weather has us thinking springtime fun in the sun and playing in big, exposed terrain, keep your eyes peeled for dry snow instabilities above about 9000' on NW-N-NE aspects. 

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