Bulletin d’avalanche

Sawtooth & Western Smoky Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Mon
Alpin
1 · Faible
Limite forestière
1 · Faible
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 6 years ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Avalanches are unlikely, and most slopes are safe. Watch for small, isolated wind drifts in upper elevation and alpine terrain

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Unlikely
    Taille
    1

    Gusty winds yesterday afternoon may have formed a fresh round of isolated, small drifts at upper elevations. Observers in the neighboring Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone yesterday reported small, fresh drifts up to 6 inches thick. A skier in the alpine reaches of the Smoky Mtns was able to release one of these small slabs with a ski cut.

    In addition to these fresh wind drifts, keep an eye out for older wind slabs that formed last weekend. Tuesday in the Beaver Creek drainage, a skier triggered a small slab avalanche just below a corniced ridgeline (see photo). The slab failed on a subtle sun crust on an E-facing slope at about 10,000 feet. Although these wind drifts and slabs have had some time to heal, it may remain possible to trigger one where they overlie a weak layer such as facets and/or crust. Watch for pillows of stiff or hard snow on shadier slopes that weren't baked by recent sunshine and warm temps.

Avalanche Discussion

As the saying goes, Low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry. What does normal caution mean?

  • Make a solid plan before a day in the backcountry. A plan helps you anticipate hazards (of which avalanches are only one), identify options for the day, and ensure everyone is prepared for an emergency.
  • Perform a trailhead gear check. A proper beacon check ensures everyone's transceiver can send and receive a signal. Is everyone's radio working and on the right channel? Airbags armed and ready?
  • Maintain situational awareness. Don't let your guard down even when the snowpack is generally stable. If you see a wind-loaded slope or another indicator of potential instability, don't assume it's safe just because the danger is Low. Identify and avoid other hazards such as large cornices.
  • Continue to use safe travel practices. It's easy to get sloppy with your travel practices during periods of stability. Continue to minimize your group's exposure to potential avalanche hazard, ideally traveling one at a time through steep terrain.

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