Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–1.5
You may be able to trigger small avalanches that break about a foot deep on slopes recently drifted with snow. With the recent easterly winds, pay attention to unusual loading patterns on west and northwest-facing slopes. Shooting cracks are a sure sign of unstable wind-drifted slabs. Look for and avoid stiff wind drifts in very steep consequential terrain.