Provo

Avalanche problems

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1

  Roughly 4–8 inches of new snow sits on top of a firm, supportable crust from the Christmas rain event. In steep, sustained terrain, this allows the new snow to run fast and far as loose dry avalanches (sluffs).

  Manage this problem by making deliberate slope cuts, traveling one at a time, and planning safe pull-outs where sluff can pass without knocking you off your skis, board, or sled. Always keep the sluff in view and avoid allowing it to build volume above terrain traps or in steep, sustained terrain.

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2

  Northwest wind of 10–20 mph has likely created shallow drifts of wind-blown snow across upper-elevation terrain. These drifts will be most common on leeward slopes and near ridgelines, rollovers, and rock features. Human-triggered soft slabs of wind-drifted snow are possible, with depths up to about a foot, and could run fast and far on the slick crust below.

  Watch for signs of wind loading, such as smooth, rounded pillows or stiff, hollow-feeling snow, and avoid freshly drifted slopes.

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2

  The snowpack remains shallow, spatially variable, and structurally complex, and I do not trust it yet. Extended Column Tests continue to show propagation (see video).

  In mid- and upper-elevation wind-loaded terrain, human-triggered avalanches remain possible, with slab avalanches 1–2 feet deep failing on a buried persistent weak layer. Use conservative terrain selection, avoid steep wind-loaded slopes with thin or variable snow, and, as always, travel one at a time in avalanche terrain.