Deep Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1.5–3
Recent avalanche activity from last weekends storm tells us the deep persistent slab problem is producing very large avalanches and there's a chance a human or snowmachine could trigger one. There were at least 7 or 8 avalanches that occurred last weekend that we think were triggered on a buried layer of weak snow near the ground. There were also a handful of smaller avalanches that all occurred on west facing slopes of the mountains on the east side of the highway. These were likely wind slabs from the strong winds during the storm.
The deep persistent slab problem may not give any feedback, but a whumpf or collapse is a clear sign that a slope could avalanche. If you are venturing onto steep slopes choose safe, low angle, up routes, and travel one at a time in terrain greater than 30 degrees.
Dry Loose Avalanches: Dry loose avalanches were triggered by humans yesterday on steep slopes in Turnagain Pass. As of now these are small, but as the snow dries out through this cold spell they will become larger and more difficult to escape.
Cornice Falls: Cornices are coming in all shapes and sizes at this point. Cornice cracks are also forming in some places, they have been seen in the V-Max (Snug Harbor) area and on Goldpan. These cracks (sometimes very large and deep) form well back from the cornice edge and pose a fall hazard. Cornice falls from the storm last weekend have been observed to have traveled to the valley floor, so give cornices some space and watch that they don't fall down on you from above.
(1/28/2025)
Large avalanche across the whole bowl of on Colorado Mtn's east face. It's hard to tell but the texture of the bed surface and size of the crown looks like this one may have failed at the ground.
Photo: Daniel Krueger
