Mt Hood

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  1–2

  This storm will create a mix of soft and hard wind slabs depening on your elevation and exposure to the wind. At middle and lower elevations, expect slabs to be softer and more reactive. At these elevations, using small test slopes can help you gauge slab reactivity.  As you climb into windier, more exposed terrain, slabs may feel denser and could be several feet thick. In these areas, you'll want to just avoid all leeward terrain that harbors this slab structure. 

  Very strong SW winds may create irregular loading, so you may find these slabs forming further down slope or even lower down in the trees.  You’ll commonly find wind slabs on the downwind sides of ridges and canyons, beneath cornices, and in rocky alpine areas. 

  With stormy conditions, the best mitigation stategy is to use visual cues to manage your exposure to this problem. Look for blowing snow, wind-textured surfaces, and fresh cornices to pinpoint which slopes are loading up. As you travel, you can probe with your pole to feel for stiffer, deeper pockets. Shooting cracks under your feet or machine are clear indicators that you found unstable snow.  Seek out lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes to reduce your risk, and limit your time spent under large, steep slopes.