Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
Togwotee has received anywhere from 6 inches to 1 foot of snowfall over the past 72 hours and shifting winds over the past week. Increasing wind speeds today will continue to drift snow into different areas, increasing the odds of triggering an avalanche. While at West Angle yesterday, Noah experienced cracking and collapsing at middle and upper elevations. Wind slabs today will be reactive to the weight of a rider. Watch for and avoid wind-drifted slopes, even in smaller terrain here (steep sides of drainages and creeks). It also pays to recognize that the wind slab problem is intertwined with the persistent slab problem below.
Wind-affected areas will likely have variable snow depths and spots where you can more easily impact weak snow. The best—and only—way to manage this problem and where it overlaps with Problem #2 below is by choosing lower-angled slopes today.
(2/4/2024)
Observed shooting cracks and many collapses on the way up Angle.
Photo: Noah McCorkel