Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  2–2.5

  Although the slabs that formed in early February seem to be stabilizing, they rest above a variety of ugly, widespread, weak layers (facets, surface hoar, crusts, and combinations). Before triggering an avalanche, you may or may not experience obvious signs of instability like snowpack cracking and collapsing or whumpfing. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways and break much wider than expected. You are most likely to trigger a dense, 2-4 foot thick avalanche where:

  • A smaller wind slab or loose snow avalanche overloads the buried weak layers (problem below)
  • Any part of the slope you are on or connected to is steeper than about 35 degrees
  • The slope faces the northern 2/3 of the compass
  • The slab is less than about 3' thick—relatively shallower spots may exist where the wind frequently blows, and the slab is not uniformly thick.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Wind Slab: Isolated wind slabs up to 2 feet thick formed in recent days. The slabs could rest above weak crust and facet combinations on southerly aspects or small sugary facets on more north-facing slopes - this could make avalanches easier to trigger and wider than you might expect. You're most likely to find the slabs immediately beneath exposed upper elevation ridgelines and on the sides of cross loaded gullies.

  Loose snow avalanches: In areas where more than about 6 inches of snow fell recently, loose snow avalanches are possible. Natural loose snow avalanche activity is most likely on slopes receiving direct sunshine. Be aware of where a smaller avalanche may take you, and avoid riding in avalanche terrain above terrain traps such as gullies, creeks, and thick timber.

  Wet Loose: The likelihood of small natural wet loose activity will increase on S, SW and W-facing slopes during the day, especially at lower elevations. As the surface snow and crusts from yesterday break down under the power of the sunshine, your ability to trigger these avalanches will increase.