Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche remains possible. Rocky, wind-swept slopes with variable snowpack depths are the most likely areas to find trouble. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering a large, dense slab avalanche is becoming less likely but remains possible. Avalanches are easier to trigger in thin spots at the edges of slabs and wind-features. Watch for these proverbial land mines on the northern half of the compass, where the wind frequently blows, and the snowpack depth is variable. This zone has a lot of rocky alpine terrain that perfectly fits that description. Some visual clues to identify suspect slopes:

    • Stiff or textured surfaces and wind-pillows, evidence the wind has moved snow   
    • Rocks sticking out of the snow, either near or well below ridgelines
    • Terrain where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees in steepness

    If you do trigger an avalanche, you probably won't observe obvious signs of instability like snowpack collapsing or cracking beforehand. Any triggered avalanches have the potential to break above you. 

    (1/7/2025) This is the type of terrain we're talking about when we say "rocky, wind-swept slopes with variable snowpack depths." Note how the avalanche crown "connects the dots" between exposed and buried rocks.

    Washington basin - White Clouds Mtns - NW, 9,600-10,200'.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

In this zone, we have observed or received reports of 9 natural, dry snow avalanches that released between Jan 8-15. Recently in Pole Ck, we found a thin snowpack where the weak layers that formed in November and December are buried less than 3 feet deep and remain concerning. Slopes where the upper 2 feet of the snowpack is still stiff, and the weak layers are buried less then 3 feet deep, present the highest odds of triggering a large avalanche.

This zone harbors a lot of rocky, wind-swept areas where triggering slabs remains possible. Professionals are dabbling in avalanche terrain but continue to avoid most alpine and consequential avalanche starting zones. An experienced guide elegantly summed up many professionals' current thoughts on conditions in this zone: 

"These results have left me feeling a bit unsettled. My gut tells me that the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche is really unlikely, but after looking at the structure of the snowpack and producing [some unstable results with mostly non-standard snowpack tests], I can't figure out how to justify skiing in consequential avalanche terrain..."

If you're playing in avalanche terrain, you can always stack the odds in your favor by avoiding slopes that end in terrain traps like thick trees, cliffs, and creek bottoms. 

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