Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Although unlikely, your greatest chance of triggering a large slide is on a very steep, rocky, wind-affected slope. As the day warms up, wet snow avalanches are possible on very steep slopes that face the sun.

There are no obvious, widespread avalanche problems in this zone, and triggering large avalanches is unlikely. Keep in mind, however, that unlikely and impossible and two very different things. There are a host of relatively minor avalanche problems to consider, but the sum of these problems, combined with the amount of terrain you may find them in warrants your attention.

Here are a few problems to consider when planning your day in the mountains:

• Wind Affected Snow - If you go poking around on enough very steep, wind-sculpted slopes you may find small, isolated wind slabs that are sensitive to your weight. This problem can persist longer in areas where slabs rest on icy surfaces or a persistent weak layer. This same, wind-affected terrain harbors very large cornices. Extended periods of near or above freezing temperatures may encourage these unpredictable, massive blocks of snow to sag and fail.
• Wet Loose Avalanches - Wet loose avalanches were reported each of the last two days on very steep, sunny slopes. The sun will be out from daybreak to dinner in most areas and these slides are possible again today. Wet loose avalanches begin at a "point", usually the base of a warm rock or tree, and fan out to collect snow as they go. They are most problematic in confined terrain or on large slopes where they gather a lot of snow. Rollerballs, or herds of small snowballs peeling off steep terrain, can be a helpful clue that the snow's surface is weakening and wet loose slides may occur. 
• Weak Snow Near the Ground - Weak, grey, sugary facets and crusts sit at the base of the snowpack on shaded NW-N-NE-E facing slopes at middle and upper elevations. This layer is buried 4-6 feet deep and is showing signs of gaining strength. You'd be unlucky to trigger a slide on this layer but it's only been a week since our last major loading event and SAC staff and local professionals continue to avoid avalanche terrain where it's known to exist. 

You'll likely see more LOW danger creep into the Sawtooth & Western Smokys in the coming days. It can be easy to let your guard down as the danger drops, but I'd challenge you to approach your day with the same systematic approach as any other. Have fun out there, but don't put your blinders up. No matter the danger, it's important to challenge your assumptions and to allow time to take in any new information the snowpack has to offer.