Avalanche forecast

Salmon River Mountains

Payette Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Generally stable conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. Small loose snow sluffs are possible in very steep terrain sheltered from the wind, and as always, steer clear of large cornices along riddelines. Continue practicing safe travel habits: make a plan for the day, carry the right gear, and communicate with your group. 

Avalanche Discussion

NORMAL CAUTIONThe snowpack is generally stable, and people are exploring steep, alpine terrain. It's easy to get sloppy—so don't. Continue to minimize your group's exposure to potential avalanche hazards, ideally traveling one at a time through steep terrain. No matter the hazard rating for the day, the following are basic tenets of safe travel in the backcountry:

  • Minimize your exposure to hazards. As with anything in life, the likelihood of encountering any sort of problem increases the longer you spend time exposed to a given hazard. You are more likely to be involved in a car accident if you drive every day of the year than you are if you only drive once a week. The same is true in the backcountry. 
  • Make a solid plan before a day in the backcountry. Where are we traveling today? Is there even enough snow cover to get where we want to go? Can all members of the party ride variable (and I mean VERY variable) snow without injuring ourselves or breaking a sled? A plan helps you anticipate hazards (of which avalanches are only one), identify options for the day, and ensure everyone is prepared for an emergency.
  • Perform a trailhead gear check. A proper beacon check ensures everyone's transceiver can send and receive a signal. Maybe you could use a brush-up on your beacon skills? Are everyone's radios working and on the right channel? Are airbags armed and in working order?
  • Maintain situational awareness. Low danger does not equal complete safety. Identify and avoid other hazards such as large cornices. Warm weather may make these more susceptible to breaking.
  • Communicate with your partners. As you travel through the mountains, talk with your partners. Are you seeing what you expected when you made your plan in the morning, or are conditions different from what you thought they would be? Do you need to adjust your plan accordingly?

If you're getting out and about in the mountains, drop us an observation HERE.

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