Bollettino valanghe

Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Sawtooth Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Tue
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Triggering a 1-3 foot thick avalanche is most likely on slopes where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. Triggering avalanches in areas sheltered from the wind is unlikely but not entirely out of the question. There's a chance you could trigger avalanches  remotely—from flat terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1.5–2

    What and where is it: You could trigger soft and hard, 1-3 foot thick slabs where wind formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface, most likely near ridgelines over about 9000'. Triggering an avalanche is far less likely—but not out of the question—on steep slopes that are sheltered from the wind. Where slabs exist, they rest above a variety of weak layers (facets, crust + facet combinations, and possibly surface hoar). The widespread nature of the weak layers means avalanches are possible on many aspects. 

    How can you recognize it: Snowpack cracking (photo), and collapsing or whumphing, are clear signs of unstable conditions. Watch for snow pillows, dunes, and ripples (photo), and feel for stiff snow under your feet or sled. These are signs the wind has been at work transporting snow. Assume the weak layers exist on most slopes.    

    How can you manage it: You can avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes to 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. Remotely triggering an avalanche from flat terrain below steep slopes remains possible. Keep a close eye on your partner and the terrain that's above you.

    (12/21/2024) Skier-triggered avalanche near 9800' on a NE aspect in the northern Boulder Mtns.

Avalanche Discussion

Throughout the forecast area, we're teetering between MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE danger. The Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns zone has more wind-loaded slopes and alpine terrain than other zones, pointing towards CONSIDERABLE danger today. Whether the danger is MODERATE or CONSIDERABLE, you're far more likely to trigger slabs in exposed areas versus in terrain sheltered from the wind. Don't trust wind-loaded starting zones or the runouts of large, wind-loaded avalanche paths (due to the lingering chance of remotely triggering avalanches from below). Some key recent observations and information:

  • Yesterday, Zach experienced several snowpack collapses—some in excess of 100 feet—in wind-loaded terrain in the Headwaters of the Salmon/Frenchman Ck area.  View his observation here.
  • Saturday, a group reported a human-triggered avalanche in wind-affected terrain near 9800 feet on a NE aspect in the northern Boulder Mtns (Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns zone).
  • Saturday, professionals reported a booming snowpack collapse that sounded like a shotgun near Copper Mountain in the Banner Summit zone (NE aspect near 8800 feet).

If you choose to play on or under steep slopes, avoiding terrain traps and large, consequential avalanche paths will reduce the risk of bad outcomes.

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