Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
You can trigger an avalanche on wind-drifted slopes. Some avalanches will remain confined to recent storm layers, but in large alpine terrain, some avalanches might break deeper, spreading unpredictably far across features. Easterly-facing terrain at upper elevations is the most dangerous with fresh drifts perched on fragile buried crusts. Choose slopes less than about 35 degrees.
Wednesday's warm weather will allow snow surfaces to become wet, so in the afternoon you can trigger loose avalanches. Move off steep slopes once the snow surface becomes sticky before it becomes slushy. Avoid traveling above terrain traps where a small avalanche could magnify the consequences of getting caught.