Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
There is so much low density snow available for transport, I’m just holding my breath that the winds don’t pick up. If wind speeds increase and the snow starts to move where you are or you see plumes above you off the peaks, sensitive drifts are forming and instantly increasing the avalanche danger. And you’ll need to instantly change your travel plans. My greatest concern is the highest peaks and ridgelines if the winds pick up. Avoid travel on and below steep slopes with new wind drifted snow.
There are also a few older, denser wind drifts hidden beneath the snow snow, on a variety of aspects and around terrain features like the lee sides of ridge crests, gully walls, sub ridges and breakovers.
Out of the wind affected terrain, a few new snow sluffs can be triggered on steep slopes of all aspects. Consequences are important - even a small sluff can be serious if it takes you into trees, off a cliff or for a long ride, so choose your terrain carefully and use slope cuts to minimize the chance of going for a ride.. A beautiful Mark White photo showing what loose snow sluffs look like, Salt Lake area mountains.