Galena Summit & Eastern Mtns

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2–2.5

  You're most likely to trigger a Persistent Slab avalanche on NW-NE-E-SE facing slopes at middle and upper elevations (near and above ~8500' in this zone). In this zone, 1-2' thick slabs rest atop suspect crust + facet combinations.

  Cracks shooting out from you and "whumpfing" sounds as the snowpack collapses are red flags that indicate unstable conditions. If you experience these obvious signs of instability, avoid steep slopes with similar appearances, aspects, elevations, and snowpack depths. 

  Avalanches involving these layers could be very large and likely unsurvivable. Persistent Slabs often break wider than you'd expect, and can be triggered remotely—from gentler terrain above, below, or to the sides of steep slopes.

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2

  You could trigger 1-2 foot thick slabs in wind-loaded terrain. The size and chance of avalanches will increase as you climb into windier terrain at upper elevations. Avalanches could be wider than you expect, and easier to trigger where storm snow buried slick crusts, crusts + facets, or surface hoar.

  Yesterday's strong wind blew from the SW-W-WNW, forming slabs in many areas, and small fresh slabs may begin to form by the end of the day today. Look for them near or below ridgelines, along mid-slope ribs, and on aprons beneath chutes. Cracks shooting out in front of your sled or boards mean you've found a sensitive slab. You can manage your exposure to this problem by identifying and avoiding wind-loaded slopes.