Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 3
It feels like the snowpack is getting comfortable in its own skin and reaching a point of equilibrium. In fact, the snow feels like it's taking on that go-anywhere kinda base... and it is. Though there's a catch and a conundrum... these are exactly the type of snow conditions that allow us to start poking into high elevation, alpine terrain and onto steep slopes. But all we need to do is find a weak spot under the snow, like a hidden rock or bush, collapse the slope, and now we've got a connected piece of snow that breaks above us and quickly gets out of hand. While the chances of triggering a deep, dangerous avalanche have decreased slightly, the consequences remain severe. Likely suspect terrain I'm steering clear of are steep, rocky slopes, especially where the pack is slightly thinner and I could still knock the legs out from underneath the snow above me.
A frequent flyer (British spelling :) and super legit big mountain, backcountry adventurer, John Climaco visited the very eastern fringes of the western Uinta's and reports a deceivingly weak, sugary mess and adds... "Unfortunately, the whole thing is clearly sitting on some well protected weak layers and the surface facets are sparkling anyplace that’s protected. Note to self: almost any appreciable added water or wind is going to make this a very tricky place to operate indeed." More on John's travels here.
