Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Although unlikely, your highest chance of triggering a large slide is on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes. 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 and thin layers of facets. 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 - Yesterday, wet loose avalanches were reported on very steep sunny slopes. These avalanches are possible again today as clouds part this afternoon. 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 Layers - Unfortunately, when dealing with persistent weak layers, there is no obvious "on" or "off" switch. Instead, we estimate the likelihood of triggering based on a whole host of factors including distribution, weak layer and slab characteristics, and loading. Here are the two main weak layers that are worth tracking:
  1. Weak, grey, sugary facets and crusts 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 been less than 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. 
  2. A subtle layer of crusts and facets beneath the recent storm snow may exist on some steep, sunny SW-S-SE facing slopes. This layer produced several 2-4 foot thick avalanches during the storm. This layer is likely quickly improving with warm temperatures and a lack of additional loading. 

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.