Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
You can trigger an avalanche in freshly-drifted snow near and above treeline. Avoid smooth, dense, lens-shaped pillows of snow on steep slopes below ridgelines, on convex rollovers, and the sides of gullies. Shooting cracks within the new snow are an obvious sign of instability and an indication to move to wind-sheltered slopes for safer travel. Even small slides can be big problems if you get carried into a terrain trap.