Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
The winds were cranking up high in the mountains today, moving snow around all aspects. I was easily able to find small wind slabs and release them using a hand shear or small column test around Broken Top. Most of these slabs were 4-6" deep and would not result in an avalanche large enough to bury, injure, or kill a rider. Nevertheless, with the way the wind was moving snow today, there could be isolated pockets of deeper slabs that could be more consequential. On Sunday, be wary of steep, open slopes that look smooth and pillowy or that feel firm and hollow, like Styrofoam. Avoid obvious trigger points, like convex rolls and entering slopes below cornices or cliffs.
Touring up around Broken Top on Saturday, the winds were moderate and gusting strong out of the northwest, though snow was getting whipped around all over the place and onto every aspect. Plumes of snow were visible on ridge tops and moraines on the north side of Broken Top and on the Mt. Bachelor summit (looking all the way from Broken Top). The best snow seemed to be lower down, closer to treeline on shaded aspects that have more wind protection.