When we discuss thin spots and trigger points, the arrows in the photo above depict exactly that. The arrows highlight places where we are most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche (via Ted S.)

New snow and wind stress our persistent weak layers now buried 2-4' beneath the snow surface. Throughout today, this new load will wake things up and put its strength to the test. How much weight, or load, will our snowpack structure be able to support? Since I am uncertain, I am on the lookout for red flags and obvious warning signs like recent avalanches, cracking, or collapsing -- All telltale signs that you are entering the dragon's den, and you might wanna rethink your next move. This snowpack setup is just waiting for a trigger like us to come in and kick the legs out from under it.

Persistent slabs are tricky, unmanageable avalanches. Instead, avoidance is the go-to tool. It's easy to get fooled because we can put 100 sled tracks on a slope without any consequence, but all the 101st rider needs to do is find a shallow point in the snowpack around a bush or a rock where you can collapse the weak layer and trigger the avalanche.

Above, Chad and Al discuss the set-up they see out in the Mirror Lake Corridor near Reids Peak where a strong, dense slab sits above weak, early season, faceted snow that continues to show signs of life.

There is plenty of fresh snow out there to move, and winds blowing between 20 and 40 MPH gusting into the 50's and 60's have done just that. Over the past couple days, winds blowing from the southwest have loaded leeward slopes on northwest through southeast aspects and created dense, fresh drifts up to 2' deep. My greatest concern is where fresh drifts sit atop old, faceted snow near the ground, and once triggered, will turn a relatively small and manageable avalanche into a deep, and potentially life-threatening slide.

Im avoiding fat, rounded pillows on specific terrain features like convex rolls, chutes, gully walls, and cut banks that look textured or may sound hollow like a drum under my ride. Cornices are beginning to gain meat and will be touchy today. Give them plenty of room, and remember that cornices can easily trigger large avalanches too.