Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 4
Yesterday's snowmobile triggered avalanche clearly shows the types of large, hard slab avalanches that can fracture on buried persistent weak layers today. Most steep slopes have avalanched naturally at least once or twice this winter leaving behind a complex mix of weak layers still capable of producing an avalanche. And just under the new snow from the last week of snowfall, I found buried surface hoar on Friday above Smith and Morehouse reservoir. It may not be widespread but is worth looking for.
Besides avalanche activity, the snowpack continues to speak to us saying it can produce avalanches. There have been reports of collapsing by three different groups near Boundary Creek (1, 2, 3). And other riders have told me they experienced widespread collapsing in rocky areas. These weak layers exist at all elevations but are most likely to produce slides near and above treeline.
The only solution today is to avoid terrain where these weak layers exist or roll the dice and bet your life. On a positive note - these layers are on the road to recovery in the days ahead. Stay tuned.
