Boletín de aludes

Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
Ver en el mapa

Peligro de aludes

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

Lo esencial

Human-triggered avalanches are possible on steep slopes. They are most likely as you climb in elevation and in areas where the wind has drifted snow or stiffened the snow surface. Cracks shooting in front of your skis or sled mean the slope you're on may be unstable. 

Problemas de aludes

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow and wind are forming storm slabs. These slabs will be thicker at upper elevations, where snow totals and wind speeds are greater. Anticipate thicker slabs on the northern half of the compass as the strongest winds blew from the SW-S-SE. Slabs formed over various potentially weak surfaces, including facets and crust + facet combinations. Expect freshly formed slabs to be easy to trigger on steep slopes. Some may be triggered by lower-angled terrain above, below, or to the side of a steep slope. The likelihood of triggering one of these sides will increase where you find a thicker, stiffer slab of snow—most likely near ridgelines and exposed terrain features. 

    New snow alone isn't a problem, but rapid settlement, wind stiffening, or drifting can quickly change the equation. Look for signs of wind loading, like fresh cornice growth and dunes or ripples in the snow surface. Feel for stiffer snow and watch for obvious signs of instability, like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You can always reduce your risk by sticking to lower-angled terrain and avoiding slopes that end in terrain traps like cliffs, trees, or creek bottoms. 

    (3/13/2025)

    Remotely triggered storm slab on Paymaster Peak at 9200' NW aspect. This was triggered from ~100' feet away on a ridgeline.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It's been three weeks since the last large persistent slab avalanche occurred in this zone. Triggering a big slide on weak snow buried in February is unlikely but can't be completely ruled out. 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 in the mountains around the Wood River Valley, 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

    (2/18/2025) A skier on Patterson Pk near Hailey triggered this large avalanche. After several turns on the slope, the slide broke above and around them. Thankfully, the skier was able to ski ahead and to the side of the slab. NW @ 8,050'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Today, managing the new snow is the name of the game. Be wary of entering steep terrain, especially where you find more than about 6-12 inches of new snow, particularly near ridgetops or wind-exposed terrain. Wind-affected slopes are more likely to harbor larger, thicker slabs and could be triggered from lower-angled terrain below, above, or to the sides of steep slopes. Yesterday, Zach traveled into the Pioneer Mountains, where he remotely triggered a slide that failed below the new snow, up to 200 feet wide and 12 inches deep. Recently formed storm slabs will be more reactive on NW-, N-, and NE-facing slopes. Watch for signs of instability, like snowpack cracking or collapsing, which indicate an unstable snowpack. Use quick hand pits and small, inconsequential test slopes to assess stability and be ready to adjust your terrain choices accordingly.

On the sunnier side of the compass, the new snow appears to be bonding better to the old crusty surface below. However, along Titus Ridge yesterday, in very steep terrain, we triggered small dry loose slides. While these weren't large enough to bury a person, they could easily knock you off your feet and carry you where you didn't want to go. With morning sunshine and rollling clouds today, natural loose snow avalanches (sluffs) are possible, especiallly in very steep craggy terrain. 

Regiones cubiertas