Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–2.5
The most dangerous slopes are northwest through north to east-facing slopes near and above treeline. Here, you might be able to travel on a slope many times before triggering a large avalanche that you are unlikely to survive. The easiest way to avoid being caught in an avalanche is to avoid travel on or under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees facing these directions. If you choose to travel on these slopes, avoid shallow spots where it is easier to impact buried weak layers, such as wind-scoured slopes, rock outcrops, or steep convex rollovers.
You can also trigger smaller but still dangerous avalanches where you find wind-drifted snow on steep slopes facing east, southeast, and south above treeline.