Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Avalanches are unlikely, and avalanche concerns are limited. It’s been two weeks since the last measurable snowfall. Cover your bases by continuing to carry avalanche rescue gear, going one at a time on steep slopes and having a partner watching from a safe spot.

You are most likely to find trouble on steeper slopes of 40 degrees or more. As always, "extreme" alpine terrain deserves our respect; think about where even a small avalanche could carry you before committing to consequential, wind-loaded slopes. Here are a couple of specific things to consider when planning your day in the mountains:

Wind Slabs: Most wind slabs have stabilized and are not sensitive to the weight of a skier or snowmobiler. That said, pay attention in very steep terrain where hard wind slabs overlie weak, sugary faceted snow. The "hard slabs over facets" can sound or feel hollow or "drummy". They are most widespread in alpine terrain. You'll commonly find them in chutes and couloirs or on big exposed alpine faces. Old, weathered hard slabs are typically triggered near rocks (buried or exposed) or on the edges where the slab thins to less than 2 feet thick. 

Cornices: Some cornices are very large, and many are sagging or overhanging. It can be difficult to tell where solid ground stops and the cornice starts so give them space when traveling on ridgelines. Falling cornices can be great triggers for wind slabs below them.

If the seemingly relentless high-and-dry weather has got you questioning what to do, consider refreshing those companion rescue skills with your usual backcountry partners. Running through a beacon drill or hammering through a shovelling exercise builds camaraderie and trust in your group members, and also keeps you warm during this weekend's cold snap. If you need a place to practice, the Baker Creek and Baldy North Face beacon parks are up and running. Buffing out perishable rescue skills cashes the checks we hope to never have to write in the backcountry.