Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
A little new snow Tuesday morning wasn’t enough to moderate the firm/variable/punchy conditions below treeline and on solar aspects in the alpine.
Northerly winds kept things cool on Wednesday and moved a little snow around at higher elevations. Riding is good on northerly slopes in the alpine, but caution is needed in wind loaded areas.
At this point there are several iterations of old slab and wind effect up high. If you find an instability, it will likely be shallow and confined to small terrain features. That said, even small avalanches can ruin a day under certain circumstances. Use test slopes to see if you can get the surface snow to crack, collapse, or slide before you make the choice to move into more consequential terrain.
Thursday is forecast to remain cool as clouds build and skies become overcast in the afternoon. Travel conditions could be challenging, especially on the crusts below treeline and on open solar slopes. Give yourself some extra time and bring the equipment needed to safely navigate the obstacles and conditions you may encounter.
(3/9/2022)
Small skier triggered wind slab on the White Salmon Glacier. The avalanche was triggered as a skier traversed across the bottom of the slope (note the ski track entering the debris). He was partially buried. Crown was ~5 inches deep and ~35 feet in width.
Photo: Zach Bunch