Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 3
Weak andsugary faceted snow make up the entire snowpack on most polar aspects. Snow last weekend buried these pesky persistent grains creating a variety of potential weak layers. Winds over the past week have been the biggest factor in creating a strong over weak structure. Blowing and drifting snow has created slabs up to two feet deep on top of buried near surface facets. This is where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche and get the ball rolling. Once the ball is rolling there’s no telling how deep it could possibly steep down. Above or below the Christmas rain crust, to the ground, who knows? Either way these avalanches could be large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person.
Thegoodnews is there is soft snow to make turns in if you evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and identifying features of concern. Look out for what feels like strong snow over weak snow, or hard layers over soft layers. If your skis are punching through the snow to your knees, or you can push your pole through to the ground, it’s likely all weak. If you are uncertain whether there is a slab there or not simply avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
