Avoid steep slopes with wind drifts to reduce the chances of triggering an avalanche. You’ll find the largest drifts of snow well below ridge tops, lower down on the slopes. Being caught in even a small avalanche can have deadly consequences, especially with firm snow surfaces and exposed rocks, ice, and vegetation.
Small, sensitive slabs can be found on primarily east-facing aspects at mid elevations well below the ridgelines. These smooth wind slabs will be easy to differentiate from the existing wind-scoured older snow. While generally on the smaller side, deeper piles of new snow exist on the lower half of slopes where drifting snow spills over the ridge above and has settled.
Tuckerman Ravine 1/27/2022.
The 3 to 4 inches of low density snow earlier in the week slowly continued to drift into east facing ravines the last few days creating new wind slabs, and also building up piles of deeper snow at abrupt changes in steepness lower on the slopes. Stability of the new slabs is likely to be variable around the terrain, depending on how recent and protection from the wind.
Arctic temperatures over the last few days have acted to slow stabilization at best and also have the potential to create facets which can act as a weak layer. While bonds beneath surface slabs are likely growing in some areas, potential exists for facet growth and weakening of bonds in other areas. This variability can be difficult to visually discern except for areas where the old snow is present at the surface. If you are willing to brave the cold today, be sure to consider the consequences of even the smallest avalanche or any accident.
