Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
Weak snow near at the base of the snowpack was overloaded by two feet of dense snow that fell just before Thanksgiving. This caused natural avalanches as well as some snowmobile triggered slides.
As time passes, the chances for triggering an avalanche are decreasing. But the weak snow remains in place.
At this point, not all steep slopes will avalanche. Some will stay in place. Some may not. It's difficult to determine which slopes will slide and which won't. You may not see obvious signs of danger like recent avalanches or collapsing (whumpfing) of the snow underneath you. The biggest clue is sinking right to the ground when you step off your snowmobile, skis or snowboard.
Personally, I don't get onto steep slopes when I know there is buried weak sugary snow at the base.