Avalanche forecast

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. Avalanches are less likely in areas sheltered from the wind. You could trigger slides remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    You could trigger 1.5-4 foot thick slabs, especially where wind formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. Triggering an avalanche is less likely—but not out of the question—on steep slopes that are completely sheltered from the wind. The slabs rest above a variety of weak layers (facets, surface hoar, and crusts + facet combinations). 

    Snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing are clear signs of unstable conditions. However, a lack of these obvious warning signs doesn't mean you're in the clear. Approach the mountains with the assumption that avalanches are likely on many aspects. 

    Avoiding steep, wind-loaded slopes can significantly reduce your chances of triggering an avalanche. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways, break wider than expected, and release above or hundreds of feet away from where they are triggered. Manage your group by riding or crossing steep slopes one at a time, and consider avoiding areas where terrain features like gullies, cliffs, or dense trees could increase the consequences of a slide.

    Additional Discussion: You may be able to trigger wind slab avalanches that formed near ridgelines and in cross-loaded areas on the sides of gullies. The size and chance of triggering these slides increase significantly as you climb into windier, alpine terrain at upper elevations. These avalanches could step down to the buried weak layers described above. Watch for snow pillows, dunes, and ripples, and feel for stiff snow under your feet or sled. These are signs the wind has been at work transporting snow.

    (12/31/2024) Skiers triggered this avalanche and others near Titus Lake.

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack is gradually adjusting to the weight of recent storms. This process takes time and is slowed by ongoing snowfall and wind-loading.

Here is a recap since Sunday:

  • So far, we've recorded ~100 avalanches focused around preferentially wind-loaded NE and E aspects between 9,000-10,000' (view rose).
  • Twelve human-triggered avalanches were reported (view rose). Three of these were triggered Tuesday by skiers near Titus Lake.
  • Nearly all of the 50+ recent observations we've received report obvious signs of instability, such as avalanches, cracking, or collapsing. 

In most of this zone, weak layers are buried closer to the surface, making avalanches easier to trigger than in deeper snowpacks to the W and NW. Yesterday, guides reported widespread collapsing in generally unskied terrain near Galena Summit, and we found unstable test results near the mouth of Baker Creek.

It's snowed over a foot in portions of this zone since New Year's Day. Guides in Baker Creek and the Smoky Mtn Crest reported signs of recently drifted snow. Look for fresh wind slabs near ridge tops, steep cliff faces, and chutes. While commonly small, these slides could still carry you into dangerous terrain or trigger larger, more hazardous, Persistent Slab avalanches. 

We're enjoying the great riding and skiing but remain cautious around or below avalanche terrain. Keep a close eye on your partner and the terrain above you.

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