This is Janet Kellam with the Sawtooth National Forest Avalanche
 Center with General Snow and Weather Information on Friday, November
 23, 2007.
 This information will be updated as we get more snow and more people
 head into the backcountry.

 Snowpack:
 IMPORTANT UPDATE 11/23- FRIDAY
 Snow conditions for oversnow travel of all types are very limited and
 isolated to upper elevations. This morning we received a report of a
 large, triggered slide in the Upper Salmon River basin-This means The
 Headwaters, Vienna-Beaver Creek area. Several snowmobilers were at
 9,200 to 9,500 feet, being cautious and not highmarking but were near
 or along a steeper slope. They released a large slide estimated at 300
 to 400ft wide. This was a Northeast facing slope and broke out an
 estimated 3 feet deep. Only one person was in the avalanche and was
 able to ride out unharmed. They did not observe any other slide
 activity, but this could have been a deadly slide. Thank you for
 reporting this it will help to alert others.

 Avalanche Concerns exist for these upper elevation locations. We have
 a build up of denser surface snow due to our recent wet storm and
 wind. Beneath the surface slab on north facing slopes lies weak,
 sugary snow on top of an ice layer. It is possible to trigger a slide,
 especially where the wind has blown more snow onto the slopes. This
 instability will persist for awhile so be cautious if you do get out.

 The fact that only one person was exposed at a time and this group was
 prepared and cautious helped to prevent a serious accident.

 General Information Wednesday, November 21
 We have yet to get out into the field, but weve received a few reports
 from folks venturing out in the Galena Summit area. Most shaded slopes
 above 9000 feet had snow on the ground prior to last weekends storm,
 and now have around 1.5 to 3 feet of total snow depth. Below about
 9000 feet or on any slope that faces the sun, there is significantly
 less snow. Unfortunately this includes popular Galena Summit ski
 slopes such as the Cross and Avalanche Peak.

 Where a snowpack existed prior to last weekends precipitation, it
 consisted of several crusts formed by rain events in October. Some of
 these crusts may have facets above or below, and these are likely the
 primary stability concern at this time. Skiers on Titus Ridge last
 weekend reported collapsing and whoomphing of the snowpack, indicating
 that these lower layers may have been struggling to support the foot
 or so of new snow. The snowpack seems to have calmed down since then,
 with skiers in the same area Wednesday reporting only an isolated
 collapse.

 With such a shallow snowpack, avalanches are just one of the hazards
 you will face out there. While you may be occupied with dodging rocks
 and stumps, dont forget that if theres enough snow to ski or ride,
 theres enough snow to slide.

 Weather:
 Dry, cold weather is expected to prevail through Saturday. From Sunday
 through at least Wednesday, several minor disturbances are expected to
 move through our region bringing a chance of snow with each.

 Currently, none of these appear to be the money maker but at least its
 not high pressure.