Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

You are most likely to trigger avalanches where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. The fresh slabs are largest and most widespread in upper elevation terrain near Galena Summit. While not likely, large avalanches failing on weak snow deeper in the snowpack are possible in wind-swept, rocky, alpine terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    What is it? You could find fresh wind slabs up to about 18" thick in exposed terrain. The northerly winds of the past 24 hours may have formed both soft and stiff slabs. Wind slabs could overlie weak facets or crusts—especially on SE-S-SW aspects—and be more sensitive to triggering than you might expect.  

    Where is it? Look for wind-blown snow immediately below exposed ridgelines, on the sides of gullies or chutes, and near large terrain features. Wind slabs will be thickest, widest, and most common at upper elevations.  

    How can you recognize it? Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are an obvious sign of instability. Watch for drifts, dunes, and ripples on the snow surface. Wind slabs can have a smooth, chalky appearance and feel and sound hollow, like a drum. Wind-deposited snow will be stiffer and keep your skis or snowmobile on or closer to the surface.       

    How can you manage it? Managing this problem is simple; steer clear of recent wind drifts and slabs on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Hard slabs that keep you or your sled on the snow surface can behave unpredictably, breaking above skiers and riders. 

    (2/8/2023) Be on the lookout for fresh wind slabs like this one that Chris intentionally triggered in the northern Sawtooth Mountains following our last storm. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    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 does a great job describing this problem. Where are you most likely to find this scenario? On slopes with all or most of the following characteristics:

    • Wind-swept alpine terrain, especially in the Pioneer, Boulder, and White Cloud Mountains
    • Steeper than about 35 degrees
    • Variable snowpack depths with areas less than 2 feet deep and/or rocks poking through the snow surface
    •  Large, hard wind features somewhere on the slope

    Slopes harboring this unlikely but dangerous avalanche problem will probably not provide signs of instability (snowpack collapsing or cracking) before a large avalanche releases, and snowpack stability tests are of little use in situations like this. The best way to manage this problem is to avoid terrain that checks all or most of the "boxes" above. Fortunately, you'll find better skiing and riding conditions in areas that check fewer of those boxes.   

Avalanche Discussion

Although not worthy of 'Avalanche Problem'  status, there is one other thing to know to minimize the chances of finding trouble in the mountains today:

  • Loose snow avalanches: The Smoky Mountains near Galena Summit received several inches of very low-density snowfall at upper elevations yesterday. Also, the upper foot of the snowpack is extremely weak and faceted on some NW-N-NE-E facing slopes in this zone. On very steep slopes approaching 40*, it won't take much to get surficial sluffs moving. These won't be big enough to bury you, but they could knock you over and push you where you don't want to go.  

Remember that small avalanches can produce big consequences in the wrong terrain. Before committing to skiing or riding that steep, beautiful-looking line, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs, through trees, or into creeks or gullies? In "high stakes" terrain, consider the risk versus the reward.

Regions covered