“Look closely. See it? This mountain goat triggered a wind slab avalanche yesterday in the Sawtooth Mountains. The slide occurred on a NE aspect at 8800 feet. Imagine the consequences of triggering this slide with and without the cliff band. This is what we are referring to when we mention consequential terrain.” -Sawtooth Avalanche Center
A climber took a photo of a mountain goat that triggered a wind slab avalanche Sunday at an elevation of 8,800 feet in the Sawtooth Mountains according to kmvt.com. The Sawtooth Avalanche Center said these slabs can be found in “predictable” locations like near ridges and caution trekkers to anticipate where wind slabs may exist and to be on the lookout for unstable snow.
[images from sawtooth avalanche center fb & goat alliance instagram]