Deep Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Unlikely
- Dimensione
- 2–3.5
Buried weak layers towards the bottom of the snowpack continue to be a concern in Summit Lake. However, it has been so long since any significant loading event that we think it is unlikely to trigger an avalanche on these buried weak layers. It is common for persistent weak layers to become 'dormant' during periods of stable weather only to become 'active' again once the next major snowfall or wind event impacts the area. Triggering one of these sleeping giants is most likely in thin snowpack areas connected to recently wind loaded steep slopes at upper elevations.
Human triggered wind slab avalanches up to 1' deep are possible in localized areas of steep terrain that saw recent wind loading. Keep an eye out for hollow feeling pillows of snow or shooting cracks in wind loaded areas to identify slopes that could harbor lingering wind slabs.