Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
Shallow new winds slabs should be on your radar on Saturday. New snow, with colder temperatures and sustained strong winds should continually build slabs during the day. Slabs may be thickest and larger at upper elevations, but you could stumble into small slabs near treeline.
Look for active wind transport and areas of drifted snow as you climb in elevation. You may be able to easily identify slabs with surface texture. If you observe shooting cracks in drifted snow, then be sure to avoid steeper or consequential slopes. Consider areas that get enhanced wind loading such as steep slopes near low points on ridgelines, and cross drifted raised features mid-slope. Cornices may be fragile from recent growth, and could break under the weight of a person. Make sure to stay well away from the edge of them.
Small wind slab example.
Photo: Will Govus