Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 2–3
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist where wind-drifted slabs rest over buried weak layers a few feet deep. Avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees on north through east to south-facing aspects. If you trigger an avalanche, it can be big and break in a surprising way. Previous tracks on a slope do not mean a slope is safe. You can still find these buried weak layers in more wind-sheltered areas and on westerly-facing slopes, but avalanches will most likely be smaller in these areas. These weak layers can be difficult to identify, and it is sometimes hard to assess their strength, so if you feel uncomfortable making those assessments, don't travel on slopes above terrain traps and stick to lower-angle terrain.