Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 4
The snowpack continues gaining strength and stability tests suggest the pack is getting comfortable in its own skin. However, Wednesday's avalanche on Double Hill clearly shows we're not out of the woods just yet. So here's where we need to take a minute, step back, and evaluate our objectives, because we're seeing the biggest clue to avalanches.... and that's other avalanches! I realize the range is white and the snowpack is gonna feel really strong and supportable under our skis, board, or sled. However, we've gotta think not only about the snow we're riding in, but also the snow we're riding on and right now we're still seeing avalanches fail on weak, early season snow. Once triggered, avalanches can break deep and wide, especially on steep, upper elevation wind drifted slopes, resulting in a deep, dangerous slide. No matter how you cut it, this is not the type of avalanche problem that we want to tangle with or try to outsmart... patience and avoidance are the only solution. I'm simply gonna ride low angle terrain in the sun and avoid being on or under steep, wind drifted slopes.
There's a lot of terrain to ride today and not have to deal with unmanageable avalanche conditions, IF you chose slopes that had NO old snow prior to the big Thanksgiving storm.
