Wind slabs

Identify and avoid areas where drift snow has accumulated until the bed has stabilized. Ongoing snow drifts or previous days' weather often give clues as to which latitudes there may be problematic reading slopes.

-Wind-transported snow that quickly binds together into harder flakes on top of weaker layers.

-Can often be detected by: a) observing the appearance of the snow surface, b) paying attention to changes in the hardness of the snow, c) listening for hollow or drum-like sounds and d) looking for cracks in the surface snow.

-Vary in size from small to large.

- Occurs in reading slopes and sloping formations, usually over a 35 degree slope.

-Is often limited to specific terrain, altitude zone and latitude, such as reading pages below the crest, bare scales, eastern slopes. 

-The problem usually stabilizes within a few days or up to a week.

-Cold air temperatures delay stabilization.