Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Several human-triggered wind slab avalanches occurred yesterday on Pastoral (see photo), all is well and no one was caught. Easterly ridgetop winds have settled to 10 to 15 mph today, but the wind slabs that formed over the last 2 days are sitting on weak snow and could still cause trouble. This problem can be found below ridgelines (zoom in on the photo for the crown location of avalanches from yesterday) on convex rolls, and in cross loaded gullies. They probably won't be as touchy as they were yesterday and natural avalanches are unlikely today, so the best signs of unstable snow will be shooting cracks or a whumpf. Feel for firmer snow over softer snow. From the sounds of the observations yesterday, the slabs were not real stiff so the snow may be just slightly firmer than the snow below.
Cornice Fall: Cornices are likely to have grown over the last few days of windy weather. They can be tricky to see when approaching so it can be helpful to get a good look from down the ridge a ways. Cornices tend to break back further than expected so give them a wide margin if possible.
Dry Loose Avalanches: Keep sluff management on the radar if heading to steep terrain. This is especially likely in the mid elevations where there is a crust underneath loose dry snow.
(12/31/2024)
Human-triggered wind slab avalanches from yesterday on Pastoral. You can see the snow pluming off the ridge loading the slopes below. These avalanches were triggered by seperate parties in the afternoon.
Photo: Ari Stiassny
