Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are unlikely, and most slopes are safe. Watch for isolated wind drifts and cornices at upper elevations. In the White Cloud Mtns, triggering a large avalanche on weak snow near the ground remains a possibility on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Early-season persistent weak layers (facets and depth hoar) in the lower snowpack are widespread throughout the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone. Given the lack of snowfall in recent weeks, these weak layers are unlikely to produce an avalanche.

    If there is one area we're still concerned about, it would be the White Clouds. While triggering an avalanche there would require a dose of bad luck, the snowpack layering remains the worst in the forecast area (see video at right). Compounding matters further, any slide triggered would be very large and extremely dangerous. Even with the lack of recent loading, trusting this sort of snowpack requires a true leap of faith. None of the SAC staff would trust our life to a very steep (35-45 degrees), wind-affected, alpine slope in this mountain range.

Avalanche Discussion

As the saying goes, Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. What does normal caution mean?

  • Make a solid plan before a day in the backcountry. 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. Is everyone's radio working and on the right channel? Airbags armed and ready?
  • Maintain situational awareness. Don't let your guard down even when the snowpack is generally stable. If you see a wind-loaded slope or another indicator of potential instability, don't assume it's safe just because the danger is Low. Identify and avoid other hazards such as large cornices.
  • Continue to use safe travel practices. It's easy to get sloppy with your travel practices during periods of stability. Continue to minimize your group's exposure to potential avalanche hazard, ideally traveling one at a time through steep terrain.

Regions covered