Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
You can trigger an avalanche on northerly and east-facing slopes where a cohesive slab of snow rests on old, weak snow. At the upper elevations of the Grand and Battlement Mesas where the slab is thicker, avalanches are larger and more dangerous. You can trigger an avalanche from below a slope or from a distance so be aware of steep slopes overhead. Safer travel options exist on sunny, southerly aspects and on slopes less than about 30 degrees steep with no similarly steep slopes above you.