Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2
The slabs of wind-drifted snow on SE-S-SW-W-NW-N aspects near and above treeline have gained strength and gotten more difficult for people to trigger. That being said, people triggered cracking in some wind-loaded areas yesterday. It may still be possible for a person to trigger an avalanche involving these dense, hard slabs if they hit a spot where the slab is thinner or softer (trigger points) today. Exposed slopes near ridges will hold wind slabs, with complex terrain around cliffs where an unsupported wind slab lurks or couloirs where conditions may be more variable, representing the most suspect terrain.
These slabs will look smooth and filled-in, feel firm on the surface, and may sound hollow underneath. Look for signs of instability like cracking or unstable test results on small test slopes or on the edges of these slabs where they might be thinner. If signs of instability or uncertainty about a slope exist, move away from that area. Traveling in terrain sheltered from the wind can help bypass potentially unstable wind slabs and locate more consistent snow conditions.
(1/31/2023)
Photo: SAC