Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
The snowpack is thin in this area and you can easily impact weak snow buried near the ground. The most dangerous areas are where slabs of stronger, wind-drifted snow rest on top of older, weaker snow near the ground. Strong winds from the west and southwest will rapidly transport any loose snow onto easterly slopes.
Avoid steep slopes with signs of recent wind-loading like freshly built cornices and bulbous, lens-shaped pillows of snow below ridgelines, especially if you find this strong over weak layering. Stay on wind-sheltered lower-angle slopes to reduce your chances of being caught in an avalanche.