Northern New Mexico

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche on West through North to East aspects today is possible. Stear clear of slopes greater than 35 degrees, especially ones that have seen deposition or stiffening from the wind. Audible collapses and shooting cracks have been a reliable source of immediate feedback that you've found this instability. A persistent slab avalanche, if triggered, has the potential to be large to bury a skier or rider. 

As we continue to move farther away from our most recent loading event and our weak layers are adjusting to the stress, the obvious signs of instability such as audible collapses and shooting cracks will come less and less frequently. That doesn't mean the avalanche problem has fixed itself or gone anywhere. Persistent avalanche problems linger for weeks after a storm and their associated persistent weak layers take longer to heal than time is usually available to them. One of the best methods for gathering information on a persistent slab avalanche problemto dig and get your eyes on the problem. Hard slabs that have been forming from recent strong winds are keeping the risk and uncertainty steady right now. Hard slabs have the tendency to break well above you and be destructive due to the stiffness of the material sliding. If you find hard slabs on your travels be mindful that areas where the slab is thinnest, such as on the margins or near rock outcroppings, are the areas you are most likely to trigger one of these hard slabs. 

Our last reported avalanche was on Monday Dec 14 on an East aspect up in Long Canyon. This was a persistent slab avalanche that failed on basal facets and was triggered from an adjacent low angle slope. In our more recent travels we have been experiencing collapsing and shooting cracks but it's been far less widespread than . Small test slopes, meant to guage the liklihood of producing an avalanche, all arrested after collapsing. Meaning they didn't avalanche. The lack of recent natural and skier triggered activity and results from tests slopes over the previous few days have all contributed to our current Moderate danger rating. Triggering one of these avalanches is still possible though and we should be evaluating terrain and snow carefully.

Terrain selection and managment is the single best tool we have in mitigating any avalanche problem. Sticking to slopes less than 35 degrees and considering how we manage skiing or riding a piece of terrain are important. Try and choose terrain that allows for safe regrouping on the descent and isn't exposed to terrain above you. Decide where this spot is going to be prior to skiing and make sure your whole party understands. Ski or ride one at a time to minimize exposure.  Always be mindful of what slopes may be above you. These are just a few thoughts that are always on my mind when I step out into the backcountry. Especially while trying to mitigate the risk and uncertainty associated with a persistent slab avalanche problem.