Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Two varieties of wet snow avalanches are possible on steep, wind-sheltered slopes once surface crusts turn mushy:

  1. Wet Loose:  These avalanches are most likely during the heat of the day on slopes that face the sun. They often initiate near the bases of trees, rocks, and cliffs. Although slow-moving, these avalanches are surprisingly powerful and difficult to escape. They may also trigger larger wet slab avalanches (example) as they move downhill.
  2. Wet Slab: These large avalanches are unpredictable. They release as buried weak layers become wet. We anticipate these avalanches to break 1-4 feet thick, creating a dangerous, likely unsurvivable avalanche. They can break widely and without warning. The only way to reduce your risk is to avoid traveling on or under steep slopes. 

  Additional Discussion - Cornices: Avoid large, overhanging cornices. The heat will cause these to sag and break. Scary in their own right, they also serve as excellent triggers for the two wet avalanche concerns described above. 

  

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1.5–2

  You could trigger a 1-3 ft thick persistent slab avalanche on buried weak layers (sugary facets, surface hoar, and crust + facet combinations). This problem is worst on wind-loaded middle and upper elevation slopes facing NW-N-NE-E. Dry or wet, these are the aspects where you're most likely to trigger a large slab avalanche.

  Look for smooth snow pillows, dunes, textured snow surfaces, and cornices as indicators of wind-stiffened snow. You may not see obvious signs of instability, such as snowpack cracking and collapsing, before triggering a slide.