Danger zones hard to recognize. Cautious route selection advised.
Avalanche danger above 2200m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier. Above 2200m avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack, particularly on steep north-facing slopes. Also naturally triggered avalanches and remote triggerings are possible. Whumpf noises and cracks when you tread upon the snowpack, as well as fresh avalanche releases, are alarm signals and indicate imminent danger. Naturally triggered glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches are possible, mostly small sized releases. Small-to-medium naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals, snowdrifts form the slab at surface level. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. At intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is moist due to the rain impact. On very steep grassy slopes the entire snowpac can begin to glide away.
Tendency
Persistent weak layer problem will gradually recede as snowpack settles
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slabs can be triggered even by one sole skier on W/N/E facing slopes. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are nearly impossible to recognize in open terrain. Whumpf noises and cracks when you tread upon the snowpack, as well as fresh avalanche releases, are alarm signals and indicate imminent danger. In addition, snowdrift accumulations in the near-surface layers can be triggered in some places, releases mostly small. Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals, snowdrifts form the slab at surface level. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. At intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is moist due to the rain impact. On very steep grassy slopes the entire snowpac can begin to glide away.
Tendency
Persistent weak layer problem will gradually recede as snowpack settles
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Only isolated danger zones
Avalanche danger is low, only in isolated cases can a small slab or small glide-snow avalanche be triggered
Snowpack
The small amount of snow is quite compact and often capped by a hardened and icy crust atop of which a few cm of loose or wind-compacted snow lie deposited.
