Persistent Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Possible
- Taille
- 1–2
It has been 10 days since the last snowfall in the Summit Lake area. Although Girdwood picked up a couple of new inches yesterday, everywhere south of Girdwood was high and dry. With possibly another week of dry weather and snow surface conditions less than ideal in many areas (a mix of highly wind affected snow, some pockets of soft snow, and hard scoured ridges) this is a great time to practice your avalanche rescue skills, which is exactly what we did yesterday!
Although it has been several days since the last wind hit Summit Lake, there is still a chance a person could trigger a slab avalanche on a steep wind loaded slope. This is because there is weak snow under these old wind slabs. Some of these old slabs span entire bowls, which would make a scary avalanche if it released. Something to consider. Watch for steep terrain with stiff snow on the surface and warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing/whumpfing as clear indications of unstable snow.
*Safer ski/riding options and the best surface conditions will be in sheltered areas with soft snow on the surface.