Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Occurrence

View Associated Field Report

General Information

This large, natural avalanche failed on a NW-facing slope at 10,400' on Galena Peak, likely sometime on Thursday morning. It occurred in a heavily wind-loaded location and appears to have failed on the remnant snow left behind from storms in late October (note how dark and dirty the bed surface looks). The crown is an estimated several hundred feet wide.

Observer:
SAC Forecaster

Verified by SAC?
Yes

Occurrence Date:
Nov 10, 2022 (+/- 1 day)

Location:
Galena Peak

Comments:

This large, natural avalanche failed on a NW-facing slope at 10,400' on Galena Peak, likely sometime on Thursday morning. It occurred in a heavily wind-loaded location and appears to have failed on the remnant snow left behind from storms in late October (note how dark and dirty the bed surface looks). The crown is an estimated several hundred feet wide.

Avalanche Characteristics

# of Avys:
1
Aspect:
NW
Start Zone Elev:
10400ft
Size:
D2
Type:
HS-Hard Slab
Trigger:
N-Natural
Weak Layer:
Nov 1, 2022 (FC)

Media

This large, natural avalanche failed on a NW-facing slope at 10,400' on Galena Peak, likely sometime on Thursday morning. It occurred in a heavily wind-loaded location and appears to have failed on the remnant snow left behind from storms in late October (note how dark and dirty the bed surface looks). The crown is an estimated several hundred feet wide.
Close-up view of the crown of the natural avalanche that failed in the NW bowl of Galena Peak. Note the dark and dirty look to the bed surface, an indicator that it likely failed on older snow.