Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  2–2.5

  Although the slabs that formed in early February seem to be stabilizing, they rest above a variety of ugly, widespread, weak layers (facets, surface hoar, crusts, and combinations). The steady stream of snowfall has kept the chance of triggering deeper slides possible.

  Before triggering an avalanche, you may or may not experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways and break much wider than expected. You are most likely to trigger a dense, 2-4 foot thick avalanche where:

  • A smaller wind slab or loose snow avalanche overloads the buried weak layers (problem below)
  • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
  • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass
  • The slab is less than about 3' thick—relatively shallower spots may exist where the wind frequently blows, and the slab is not uniformly thick.
• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Wind Slab: Isolated wind slabs up to 2 feet thick formed in recent days. The slabs could rest above weak crust and facet combinations on southerly aspects or small sugary facets on more north-facing slopes - this could make avalanches easier to trigger and wider than you might expect. You're most likely to find the slabs immediately beneath exposed upper elevation ridgelines and on the sides of cross loaded gullies.

  Loose snow avalanches: If you're playing in very steep terrain, expect to trigger sluffs involving the recent 8-16" of snow that has fallen over the past few days. Be aware of where a smaller avalanche may take you and avoid riding in avalanche terrain above terrain traps such as gullies, creeks, and thick timber.

  *If the sun rears its head more than forecast - expect natural loose snow avalanche activity to increase quickly.