Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Weak snow formed during the month-long dry spell in December is sitting 1-3 feet below a slab accumulated in the last week and a half. You will find this problem in most places at upper elevations as well as west through north through east aspects at mid-elevations, where old, weak snow lingers at the base of the snowpack. You will likely trigger an avalanche in wind-affected areas below ridges, cross-loaded gullies, and terrain features. Look for visual clues as you travel including pillows and deeper drifts built by the wind. Shooting cracks from your skies or sled and audible collapses are evidence of weak snow below the surface.
Give yourself an extra margin for error and steer clear of steep slopes. Be mindful of traveling under steep terrain and only expose one person at a time. It’s a great day for riding low angle powder fields.
Muitlple natural avalanches on Angle Mountain on east facing terrain at 9,000'.
Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli