Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely, but not impossible.  Steep, rocky terrain where the wind has formed stiff drifts at the snow surface is where you're most likely to find trouble. Even small avalanches can have severe consequences in extreme terrain. 

Although the snowpack is generally stable, there are a couple of potential problems to keep in mind:

Wind Slabs: Yesterday, we observed active wind loading on many peaks in the neighboring Sawtooths. Look for smooth pillows below ridgelines and cornices as well as on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Dunes and ripples on the surface are clues that the wind has been at work transporting snow. These small, fresh wind drifts overlie thicker hard slabs that formed during the first week of the month. While the odds are low, triggering a larger slab avalanche remains a possibility in very steep, rocky terrain with variable snowpack depths. 

Cornices: Huge cornices guard the tops of some steep slopes. Yesterday, we observed two very large recent cornice failures in the neighboring Sawtooths (observation). One of these triggered a slab avalanche on the slope below. Cornice failures are unpredictable. The best way to reduce your risk is to give them a wide berth when traveling on ridges and limit the time spent beneath them. 

During periods ofLOW avalanche danger, it’s important not to let your guard down. Seeing the green triangle can be exciting, but LOW danger does not mean no danger. Be alert to changing conditions and continue practicing safe travel techniques: carry rescue gear, choose a good partner, and expose only one person at a time to steep terrain.