Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Heavy snowfall, wind-drifting, and warming temperatures have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are almost certain. Stay off of and out from below all steep slopes. Avalanches can be triggered remotely—from below, above, and to the sides of steeper terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    The recent snowpocalypse dropped 2 to more than 3' of new snow in the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone. This substantial amount of snowfall was accompanied by strong winds on Wednesday and Thursday, then warming temperatures yesterday. 

    This zone had dangerous conditions even before this storm, with a weak layer of faceted snow causing numerous bouts of natural and human-triggered avalanches already this season. The dust has yet to settle, and today we will likely get a better sense of the full effect of the storm on the weak snowpack it fell on. But the last few days have already provided ample evidence that avalanche conditions are exceptionally dangerous. I was on Titus Ridge on Thursday where I remotely-triggered at least one, and probably two avalanches. Even with mediocre visibility, observers on Galena Summit yesterday reported numerous large natural avalanches.

    Conditions remain extremely dangerous today. My advice to you is simple and adamant. Avoid all avalanche terrain. Avoid being on, below, or near steep slopes. 

    (1/29/2021) Avalanche on Titus Ridge near the top of Galena Summit.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The 2-3'+ of new snow that smothered this zone is not sticking well to the old snow surfaces—which consisted of facets, crusts, surface hoar, and wind-hammered ice. Yesterday's warming temperatures helped to consolidate the storm snow into a more cohesive slab. Storm slabs will be thicker, stiffer, and more dangerous in windier terrain. Any storm slab that releases could "step-down" into more deeply buried weak layers, causing an even bigger avalanche (see Persistent Slab problem).

    Again, the travel advice is simple. Avoid all avalanche terrain.

    (1/29/2021) These avalanches occurred near Galena Summit, below Titus Ridge. They failed on an E-SE facing slope at 8,200'

Avalanche Discussion

The AVALANCHE WARNINGS for the Soldier & Wood River Valley, Galena Summit & Eastern Mountains, and Sawtooth & Western Smoky Zones have been extended until 6AM Sunday.

Exceedingly dangerous avalanche conditions are widespread throughout most of the forecast area. In comparison to our periods of "normal" elevated avalanche danger, conditions now can affect people who may not normally think about avalanches—dog walkers, out-of-bounds skiers, mountain residents. The avalanche danger is such that the only safe approach is to avoid all avalanche terrain. This means avoiding being on, below, or near steep slopes—whether you're in the backcountry, taking a walk, or just past the ski area boundary rope.

If you're reading this, you likely "get it", but maybe you know someone that doesn't. Conditions are ripe for an avalanche accident. In a small town, avalanche deaths impact us all—nearly everyone is only a few degrees of separation from being an acquaintance. Please help spread the word, and if you see someone ducking the rope on Baldy, don't be afraid to speak up. Maybe you'll save a life.

Be sure to check out Scott's latest Weekend Update to catch up on all the excitement.

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