Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Generally stable conditions exist, but triggering a large avalanche is still possible. Avoid isolated fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain in upper elevations, and continue to give cornices a wide buffer.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small accumulations of snowfall combined with recent winds have probably built fresh wind slabs in open upper elevation terrain over the past couple of days. Look for wind-affected snow surfaces near ridgelines, on the sides of cross-loaded gullies, and in the aprons under cliffs and steep chutes, especially in areas that you find 6 inches or more of recent fresh snow.

    While triggering an avalanche large enough to bury you is possible, also consider where a small slide could push you. Avoid travelling above and around terrain traps or other exposed terrain if you sense stiffer surface snow or observe cracks shooting out from your skis or machine. Continue to give cornices a wide berth, as they've sagged considerably during the past week's warm-up and could be primed for collapse.

Avalanche Discussion

Happy April Fools' Day! It appears that winter has briefly returned to the forecast region after a solid week of warm temperatures and clear skies. Small intermittent flurries have deposited 2 to 6 inches of fresh snow on top of mostly firm re-frozen surfaces... in other words, we've got a great "dust on crust" set-up. These conditions are generally safe from an avalanche perspective, but should be considered more thoroughly if you're engaging with higher-consequence steep terrain where the firm snow limits your sled's ability to dig in or small sluffs and pocket slabs could knock you off your feet. Here is a list of conditions you could encounter today in steeper terrain:

  • Fresh wind slabs. Small, isolated slabs probably exist in specifically loaded terrain on firm surfaces. These will be most common in upper elevation terrain and fairly easy to identify. 
  • Loose snow avalanches. Any new snow has and will continue to fall on top of slick crusts that exist pretty much everywhere. In areas of higher snow accumulation, you may encounter relatively small sluffs. These could occur naturally if a squall packs a particular punch so pay attention to the terrain above you.
  • Riding conditions are "alpine-variable." Expect to feel a bottom crust beneath new snowfall, and realize that various firm and unforgiving conditions other than powder will meet your boards or sled track today. 

Also worth considering is the variability and unpredictability of spring snowfall. Brief flurries, squalls and thunderstorms can develop quickly and over very small geographic areas. The storms can produce intense snowfall (2-5" per hour), strong winds (intense loading), and thick layers of graupel (a great short-term weak layer where it collects and is buried on aprons below steep slopes).  Keeping your travel plans flexible will help to safely negotiate quickly changing conditions.

Regions covered