Bollettino valanghe

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. If you were to find trouble, it would be in areas where the wind frequently blows with variable snow depths. Avoid lingering under very steep, sun-drenched slopes and consider moving to cooler slopes if you find a wet, mushy snow surface. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    2–2.5

    Slabs exist above layers of weak snow buried during February storms. Before triggering an avalanche, you're unlikely to experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking or collapsing. You are most likely to trigger a slide where:

    • The snowpack is relatively shallow - where the wind frequently blows, spots may exist where the slab is not uniformly thick
    • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
    • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass

    (2/26/2025) Large slab avalanche on Boulder Peak, Boulder Mountains. SE @ 10,000'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Triggering a large, thick avalanche is unlikely. It's been over a week since the last reported natural persistent slab avalanche and over two weeks since the last reported human-triggered slide. A poor snowpack structure is what has kept this problem on the list. Yesterday, near the eastern border of this zone on Swede Pk, Ethan found a generally shallow and weak snowpack on NW, N, NE, and E aspects. If you were to find trouble, it would be in the shallower, weaker eastern portions of this zone. 

If you are stepping into steep terrain, there are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • You may find a wet, mushy snow surface on very steep, sun-drenched slopes.  The short pulse of snow on 03/05-03/06 did bring some snow to this zone, and small, natural wet loose slides aren't out of the question. Yesterday, riders in the Sawtooths observed a recent wet loose slide while riding near Alturas Lake. You can hedge your bets by avoiding lingering under very steep slopes basking in unobscured sun—especially later in the day. Consider moving to cooler slopes if you encounter a wet or mushy snow surface in very steep terrain. 
  • You may find isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow. These thin wind slabs are most likely lingering on the shadier side of the compass; don't rule out the possibility of finding them elsewhere with recent NE and E winds. Yesterday, skiers near Westernhome found small drifts that formed in alpine features and gullies. Additionally, in very steep terrain, sluffs are possible, and skiers on Wednesday were able to trigger small sluffs in steep terrain. 
  • Cornices are a real concern this time of year. Cornices have begun to sag and may be unstable. Build wide margins while traveling near cornices; they can break further back than you may think. 

Regioni coperte