You could trigger freshly formed slabs of wind-drifted snow—these slabs often form near or below ridgelines. Triggering a larger, thicker slide is unlikely, but if you were to find trouble, it would be in areas where the wind frequently blows and the snowpack depth is variable. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.
Be on the lookout for thin, freshly forming wind slabs near and below ridgelines and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Some of these slabs may release naturally, and others will be easy to trigger. Slabs will be larger and more widespread at upper elevations but may also be found in exposed middle-elevation terrain.
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:
(2/26/2025) Large slab avalanche on Boulder Peak, Boulder Mountains. SE @ 10,000'. Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center
You may encounter easy-to-trigger wind slabs near or below ridgelines or in cross-loaded gullies. Moderate northerly winds have transported snow to a slick, crusty surface from shadier aspects. Guides working in the Sawtooths yesterday found small but easy-to-trigger wind slabs failing above these slick crusts, and professionals working in the Pioneers observed gusty winds transporting snow along ridge tops. This problem likely doesn't exist everywhere, but the likelihood of finding a wind slab will increase as you climb into the upper elevations. Build margins around traveling near cornices; last week's warm temperatures have caused cornices to sag and become unstable. They can break further back than you may think.
Today's sunshine, any recent snowfall clinging to rocks or lingering in very steep terrain could release naturally. You can hedge your bets by avoiding traveling under very steep, sun-drenched slopes.
