Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2
The higher summits received 17.3 inches of snow over the past three days. The wind slab avalanche problem today is driven by recent strong west and northwest winds creating firm (1F) wind slabs that cover layers of softer, weaker snow. These stiff slabs will be stubborn to a human trigger in most places, though capable of producing an avalanche large enough to bury a person (D1-D2) should a skier or climber find the thin spot which triggers a slide release on the layer of weaker snow beneath. These new wind slabs are specific in terms of distribution in the terrain, existing mainly in wind protected lee features. You can reduce your risk by assessing the snow carefully. Listen and feel for a snow surface that is like a drum. It may feel hollow beneath. An easy test is to push the handle of a ski pole into the snow feeling for softer snow beneath, or use your hand to dig down and look at the snow structure. Hard snow over soft snow is the problem you want to avoid.
Tuckerman Ravine, 1/19/2022