Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. While it would take a dose of bad luck, you are most likely to find trouble on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes.   

Yesterday's small amount of snow and moderate wind wasn't enough to change the big picture. There is no well-defined avalanche problem in this zone, and triggering a large avalanche is unlikely.  Here are a few things to consider, especially if you're planning a day in the bigger peaks:

• Slope Angle: Avalanches are most likely on "prime time" slopes, those around 35-45* in steepness. 
• Wind Slabs: Be on the lookout for a fresh set of thin, isolated wind slabs. You're most likely to encounter this problem in upper elevation terrain of the Smoky Mountains near Dollarhide Summit. Fresh slabs are likely to be very small but have the potential to knock you off your feet. These as well as older, weathered slabs will be most sensitive where they rest above polished icy surfaces or pockets of weak, faceted snow. Watch Ben's video to see real live snowflakes falling from the sky!
• Weak Snow Near the Ground: Weak, sugary snow exists at the base of the snowpack on shaded NW-N-NE-E facing middle and upper elevation slopes above about 8000'. It would take a dose of bad luck to trigger a 2-5 foot thick slide on this layer, but the consequences would be severe. You're most likely to find both the old October snow and a thick, dense slab above it in the western part of this zone (Soldier Mtns and near Dollarhide Summit).

Yesterday's snow may be the last we see till February and our list of relatively low probability avalanche problems isn't likely to change. While the avalanche danger is LOW, playing in the mountains comes with unavoidable objective hazards. Even small avalanches can have big consequences in larger, more complex terrain. Considering the consequences of an avalanche before riding a slope is a good way to keep your ambitions in check.