Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 3
Persistent weak layers formed in November continue to plague many slopes, and last week's windy storm created a thick slab overlaying the weak layers, which created poor snow structure and an unstable snow situation in many areas.
There's a good chance a person can trigger a slab avalanche on a buried persistent weak layer of facets 1-4 feet deep. Where the snow is deepest like at upper elevations, this layer may be starting to gain some strength, meaning it'll hold a thicker , heavier slab before failing. But in areas with shallower snow, like low elevations or places scoured by winds, this widespread layer of loose sugary snow remains weak.
Mark rode throughout Copenhagen Basin Friday and found an unstable layer of surface hoar on top of these facets. He thought he would have easily triggered a slide if he had tried to ride on a steep slope. The party experienced plenty of collapsing.
I was in the area on Wednesday and did not trigger any collapsing but found the November persistent weak layer as well. (see video below)