Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While not likely, you could trigger a large avalanche in wind-swept, rocky, alpine terrain. You could also trigger much smaller avalanches in recent wind drifts near ridgelines. Be alert to the possibility of loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on very steep slopes on the northern half of the compass.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    What is it? Triggering a large persistent slab avalanche on weak, sugary facets buried deeper in the snowpack would take some bad luck. The video to the right/above describes this problem.

    Where is it? You're most likely to encounter this scenario in wind-swept alpine terrain, especially in the Pioneer, Boulder, and White Cloud Mountains. Slopes that have variable snow depths less than 2 feet deep and/or rocks poking through the snow surface are more likely spots to find this problem. 

    How can you recognize it? Unless you have calibrated your eyes to pick out hard, dense slabs from a distance, it is challenging to visually inspect them until you are already exposed to the avalanche terrain. Looking for rocks or bushes coming out of snow is the closest indicator to knowing the slope may harbor shallow spots to trigger these weak layers. Ethan's video is the closest visual description of how to pick this problem out from the ridgeline. 

    How can you manage it?  The only way to effectively reduce the odds that you trigger one of these slides is to avoid alpine, wind-hardened large features on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Don't expect obvious signs of instability (snowpack collapsing or cracking) before a large avalanche releases. Snowpack stability tests are of little use in situations like this. 

Avalanche Discussion

Steering clear of old, hard wind deposits in the alpine is the most effective way to reduce your odds of triggering a large, destructive avalanche. While relatively minor, there are a couple of other scenarios to keep in mind as you prepare to head into the mountains:

  • Wind Slabs: Today's moderate winds and a couple of inches of new snow (mainly in the White Cloud mountains) may create thin slabs over older generations of wind slabs in exposed terrain. Some of these overlie weak facets or crusts—especially on SE-S-SW aspects—and may be more sensitive to triggering than you might expect. Wednesday, in the southern Sawtooths near McDonald Pk, Ethan observed a wind slab that stepped down to one of these deeper weak layers (report). Wind slabs will be thicker and more widespread at upper elevations near Galena Summit. Look for wind-blown snow immediately below exposed ridgelines, on the sides of gullies or chutes, and near large terrain features.
  • Loose Snow Avalanches: The upper foot of the snowpack is extremely weak and faceted on some NW-N-NE-E facing slopes. On very steep slopes approaching 40 degrees, it won't take much to get surficial sluffs moving (photo). These may not be big enough to bury you, but they could knock you over and push you where you don't want to go. 

There are a lot of safe places to play, but don't get complacent. All of your standard safety protocols still apply. Continue to carry rescue gear, travel one at a time through avalanche terrain, and watch for signs of instability. Remember that even small avalanches can ruin your day in complex, high-consequence terrain. Before committing to skiing or riding a slope, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs, through trees, or into creeks or gullies? Slopes with these terrain traps are inherently more dangerous than open slopes with a clean runout.

You can get caught up on what happened last week with Ben's latest Weekend Update. 

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