Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 4
As the snowpack slowly becomes comfortable in its own skin, avalanches are becoming more stubborn and harder to trigger.... good news! And there are plenty of slopes to ride and not trigger avalanches.... better news! However, the problem with persistent weak layers in the snowpack is they linger for long periods of time and often suggest a false sense of snow stability because the snow will feel solid and stable under our skis, board, or sled. But remember, all it takes is for us to find one weakness on the slope, perhaps where it's thin like by a rock or bush we can't see under the snow, collapse the pack, and now all bets are off.... we're staring down the barrel of a dangerously, unmanageable slide.
Of course you wanna know... "how do we manage an unmanageable avalanche?" Well with all the great riding out there and plenty of alternative options, we simply avoid the terrain where it exists. You know the drill by now.... steep, rocky, wind drifted slopes, especially those facing the north half of the compass. Listen to this groups decision making process here.
JG was near Hoyt Peak yesterday and here's his insight to our snowpack structure. "Pit tests were stubborn and somewhat inconclusive but I would be hard pressed to jump into steep terrain on the north half of the compass, especially if there is an easterly component to the slope. Things will be changing by the weekend and early next week with the addition of more water weight to the snowpack."
Sage advice from a seasoned snow pro. More on JG's travels are found here.
