Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You are most likely to trigger avalanches where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. The fresh slabs are largest and most widespread in upper elevation terrain near Galena Summit. While not likely, large avalanches failing on weak snow deeper in the snowpack are possible in wind-swept, rocky, alpine terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Recent northerly winds have formed both soft and stiff slabs. Some of these slabs overlie weak facets or crusts—especially on SE-S-SW aspects—and may be more sensitive to triggering than you might expect. Yesterday in the southern Sawtooths near McDonald Pk, I observed a wind slab that stepped down to one of these deeper weak layers (report). 

    Wind slabs will be thicker, wider, and more common at upper elevations near Galena Summit. Look for wind-blown snow immediately below exposed ridgelines, on the sides of gullies or chutes, and near large terrain features.

    Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are an obvious sign of instability. Watch for drifts, dunes, and ripples on the snow surface. Wind slabs can have a smooth, chalky appearance and feel and sound hollow, like a drum. Wind-deposited snow will be stiffer and keep your skis or snowmobile on or closer to the surface. Managing this problem is relatively simple. Steer clear of recent wind drifts and slabs on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. 

    (2/8/2023) Be on the lookout for fresh wind slabs like this one that Chris intentionally triggered in the northern Sawtooth Mountains following our last storm. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Triggering a large persistent slab avalanche on weak, sugary facets buried deeper in the snowpack would take some bad luck. The video to the right/above describes this problem. You are most likely to find this scenario on slopes with all or most of the following characteristics:

    • Wind-swept alpine terrain, especially in the Pioneer, Boulder, and White Cloud Mountains
    • Steeper than about 35 degrees
    • Variable snowpack depths with areas less than 2 feet deep and/or rocks poking through the snow surface
    • Large, hard wind features somewhere on the slope

     Don't expect obvious signs of instability (snowpack collapsing or cracking) before a large avalanche releases. Snowpack stability tests are of little use in situations like this. The only way to effectively reduce the odds that you trigger one of these slides is to avoid terrain that checks all or most of the "boxes" above.

Avalanche Discussion

Steering clear of recently formed drifts and older stiff slabs is the most effective way to stay out of trouble today. While minor, there is one other scenario to keep in mind as you prepare to head into the mountains:

  • Loose snow avalanches: The Smoky Mountains near Galena Summit received several inches of very low-density snow on Tuesday. Also, the upper foot of the snowpack is extremely weak and faceted on some NW-N-NE-E facing slopes throughout this zone. On very steep slopes approaching 40 degrees, it won't take much to get surficial sluffs moving (photo). These may not be big enough to bury you, but they could knock you over and push you where you don't want to go.  

Even small avalanches can ruin your day in complex, high-consequence terrain. Before committing to skiing or riding that steep, beautiful-looking line, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs, through trees, or into a creek or gully? Slopes with these terrain traps are inherently more dangerous than open slopes with a clean runout. 

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