Avalanche forecast

Banner Summit

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Generally stable avalanche conditions exist. There's a lingering chance of triggering a large slide in steep, rocky terrain where the wind has alternately drifted and scoured the snow surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Your odds of triggering a dense, 2-5 foot thick slab avalanche are low but not zero. You may still find this problem in isolated areas on slopes facing the northern half 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
    • Terrain where some part of the slope is at least 35 degrees

    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.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanches will be difficult to trigger in many areas across this zone, especially where mid-December weak layers are buried more than about 3 feet deep. Tuesday, we rode near the border of the Banner Summit Zone and found a 2-3 foot thick slab of snow above weak layers, with no signs of instability.

LOW danger does not mean NO danger. Continue to practice safe travel protocols. Travel with a skilled partner and keep each other in sight. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, do so one at a time and 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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