Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–1.5
A slight increase in avalanche danger is expected on Thursday, as we receive a couple inches of snow overnight Wednesday and a couple more during the day. Search for clues of wind loading, indicated by rippled, textured surfaces or smooth, rounded pillows. Drifts tend to form on leeward sides of features. These include just below ridgelines, on convex rollovers, gully walls, or around rock outcroppings and cliffs. Approach steep, wind-affected slopes with caution, especially if they are in high consequence locations like around terrain traps. Expect to find more wind loading and reactive slabs as you go up in elevation. If in doubt, steer around steep, wind-loaded locations.
(4/11/2022)
Shooting cracks like these coming from skis, snowshoes, feet, etc are indicators that a reactive wind slab exists. Photo: Lee Lazzara