Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Above 7,000 feet, the winter backcountry begins to feel much more winter-like: colder temps, dryer snow, stronger wind...and this is where one should use most caution in avalanche terrain. Southwesterly flow over the past couple days has likely formed wind slabs along ridges and bowls. We had one natural hard slab avalanche observed off Green Butte Ridge, sliding into Avalanche Gulch earlier this week. Pay attention to wind blowing snow and note where it's going. Mount Shasta can also create funky wind loading patterns due to the sheer size and shape, so again, pay attention to the subtleties of wind, snow and slope aspect. Some slopes can get cross-loaded. During strong wind events, wind can deposit snow further down the slope than normal. Test for wind slabs by stomping on wind drifts and roll-overs in safe terrain. If you see blocking or shooting cracks, then wind slabs may be forming in terrain near you.