Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2–3
You can find hard slabs of snow layered over weak, collapsible snow near the ground on northerly and east-facing slopes. You may find thicker, wind-drifted slabs that span adjacent terrain features on upper-elevation slopes. You can still trigger avalanches on steep slopes with these layered snowpacks. Lower-angled, wind-sheltered areas offer safer travel options.
Move off steep slopes once you sink past your ankles into wet snow. Loose avalanches will be easy to trigger on very steep slopes once the snow is that wet. The soggy snow will follow the sun from east to south to west, and up in elevation with the warming temperatures.
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