Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
You can trigger a large and deadly avalanche on many steep slopes facing west through north to southeast. You are most likely to trigger one of these potentially unsurvivable avalanches from shallow spots in the snowpack like an uneven, rocky slope or from the bottom of a deep, wind-loaded slope where the snow is less than about three feet deep. If you choose to travel on these dangerous aspects pick smooth, planar slopes and practice safe travel techniques including exposing one person at a time and avoiding terrain traps such as cliffs or a creek below you. Safer travel options exist by sticking to south and southwest-facing slopes or avoiding traveling on or underneath slopes steeper than about 30 degrees on aspects of concern.