Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Sunday brought another round of snow (6-8") with moderate SW winds easily transporting snow through Sunday night. Dangerous avalanche conditions may develop and could linger into the early morning hours. Take additional precautions at the start of your day, noting evidence of wind transport including variations in storm snow depth, textured surfaces, or firm over weak snow layering. Fresh, sharp cornices can also help you identify wind-loaded slopes below. When in doubt, steer around potential wind deposits on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.
Near treeline, slabs will tend to be smaller in size, but keep in mind that even a small avalanche can rake you through shallowly buried rocks and debris.
Example: Large slab avalanches in wind-loaded start zones.
Photo: John Barkhausen