Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 4
A persistent weak layer of faceted snow that formed in January is buried two to three feet deep on mid and upper-elevation slopes facing the northern half of the compass. On upper elevation slopes facing northwest through east, this weak layer remains especially suspect. Any avalanche that breaks into this layer will be large, destructive, and inescapable.
- Hard slab avalanches are becoming stubborn, but it's only been five days since the last reported PWL avalanche. This is no time at all as far as a facet is concerned. A rider, cornice fall, or active wind-loading can cause this layer to wake up from its nap.
- Avalanches failing on facets can propagate widely and may be triggered remotely from the side, or worse, from below.
Propagation on the PWL on a NE slope at 8800' (March 5, Garden City Bowls)