Persistent weak layers that formed in November and December produced numerous deep and dangerous avalanches going back to February 2. These avalanches ran during a period of high danger. Most avalanche accidents happen after the natural cycle is over, when the danger is dropping down to considerable, and eventually moderate. The natural activity may be over, but many slopes hang in the balance just waiting for a skier or rider to come along and trigger deep, dangerous, and deadly avalanches. The danger is most pronounced in areas with a shallow snowpack. Steep rocky terrain, and slopes that typically get wind-scoured are likely places to trigger an avalanche. Areas that have previously avalanched are also suspect.

Here's how Dave is handling the current situation:

"I am continuing to evaluate the snow and terrain carefully. I am slowly biting off pieces of terrain. Nibbling at the edges before I go all in. I am probing the snowpack to be sure that I am skiing in areas with deep snow. I am ok with some overhead hazard, but I am generally keeping my slope angles low. I am choosing terrain that has gradual transitions and I am avoiding complex terrain with terrain traps and cliff bands. Remember that during moderate danger with a PWL, deep and dangerous human-triggered avalanches remain possible."

Winds from the southwest continue to build fresh, shallow slabs of wind drifted snow on northerly aspects. In and of themsleves, they shouldn't be too problematic, the real problem is where they are developing - on steep northerly aspects above treeline, or the same areas where you are most likely to trigger a deep avalanche failing on a buried persistent weak layer. Personally, I'm just going to continue to avoid this terrain.