Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
This very close call of a skier near Ashcroft on Wednesday is a sobering illustrating of the kind of avalanche you can trigger on Saturday. Slopes with wind-drifted, stiffer slabs are most dangerous. Look for drifts of snow below ridgelines, and in cross-loaded features, especially at higher elevations.
You can trigger avalanches from a distance or below, even from flat terrain. So be aware of steeper overhead terrain and give these slopes a wide buffer.
You can find safer travel options on wind-sheltered south and southwest slopes at lower elevations and by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees without similarly steep slopes above you.