Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Be on the lookout for small, fresh wind drifts at upper elevations. As the day warms up, small loose snow avalanches could occur on very steep slopes that face the sun. Triggering a large avalanche remains a possibility on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    This zone has been the "not so sweet spot" for the persistent slab problem. The faceted snow near the ground has been especially weak here, and the 2.5-4' thick slab is both thick enough to produce large avalanches and thin enough that our weight can impact the weak layer. 

    It's been two weeks without an avalanche, substantial loading, or notable snowfall. Can you ski and ride most slopes without triggering a large persistent slab avalanche? Yes. Would I be surprised if someone triggered a slide? Yes. Would I be totally shocked? No. 

    The poor snowpack layering that exists on most shady slopes (NW-N-NE-E facing) at middle and upper elevations continues to give local professionals and savvy backcountry riders pause. To reduce the chances of finding trouble, avoid "prime-time" slope angles (35-45 degrees) in rocky, wind-affected terrain (see photo). 

Avalanche Discussion

Thursday's small storm brought 3-5" of new snow to the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone accompanied by light to moderate northerly winds. This wasn't enough to appreciably change the avalanche danger. However, it did add a few things to the list of "minor" problems that you could encounter today, especially if your backcountry adventures take you to steep, consequential terrain:

  • Fresh wind slabs. Fresh but small wind slabs were reported in the Soldiers, Sawtooths, and Banner Summit area. These areas received more snow or wind than the Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone, but small wind slabs likely exist here too. They'll be fairly easily identified by signs of wind texture at the surface or by snow that feels thicker, denser, or more cohesive than what you're finding on wind-sheltered slopes.
  • Loose snow avalanches. The new snow fell on top of slick crusts on slopes that face the sun. Today's forecasted warmer temps and sunshine could cause the new snow to come unglued from these crusts and form (relatively) small sluffs. These could occur naturally as the day warms up—pay attention to the terrain above you.

Quote of the day: "I used to be as pure as new-fallen snow. Then I drifted." That about sums up my life, how about you?

Catch up on what happened (or didn't happen) this past week in Scott's latest Weekend Update.

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