Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Avalanche problems

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1.5–2.5

  You're mostly likely to trigger a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche on slopes facing the northern 2/3 of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs. Here are some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

  • Wind-pillows, and textured surfaces where the wind has moved snow  
  • Rocks sticking out of the snow and wind-scouring along mid-slope gullies

  Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain near steep slopes remains a possibility. If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. 

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–2

  Wet snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes facing the sun. Yesterday, several loose snow avalanches were observed in alpine terrain. At least one slide flanked out into a wet slab. We have the benefit of a light SW and W breeze today, which may help keep things cool, but we've also got a jump start on warming as mountain temperatures hovered near or potentially above freezing. Wet avalanches often initiate near exposed rocks. Most will be small, but some may grow large enough to bury you beneath large slopes and in funneled terrain. You can reduce your risk by limiting your time spent beneath sun-drenched slopes like the one pictured at right/below, especially during the heat of the afternoon.