Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
The places where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche are where the snowpack is less than about three or four feet deep. You are more likely to encounter these shallow snowpacks on slopes below treeline, on the windward sides of ridgelines, and on wind-sheltered slopes generally facing southerly and westerly directions. You might be able to trigger an avalanche in areas with a deeper snowpack if you find a shallow spot in the snow. Those are often near a rock outcrop, a band of trees, or near the bottom of a slope. do your best to avoid these shallow areas, or stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees in steepness.