Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Use extra caution on leeward slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Watch for plumes of blowing snow as an indicator of where fresh slabs are forming. You can avoid triggering these avalanches by sticking to lower elevation, wind-sheltered terrain or scoured, windward slopes.
Expect east winds just strong enough to transport snow and form fresh slabs at upper elevations. Earlier in the week, southwest winds formed more widespread slabs at upper elevations. You may be able to trigger avalanches big enough to kill you at upper elevations. Any avalanches below treeline will likely be small loose slides. If you're traveling in the mountains well east of the Cascade crest, see below.
(12/13/2022)
An example of signs that you could trigger an avalanche, cracks shoot through fresh wind slabs. Hinkhouse pk, NE, above treeline
Photo: Will Govus