Rectilinear slopes in the Olympus Range, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica were termed Richter slopes and attributed to formation by salt weathering and deflation. Existing theoretical models for Richter slope development are invalid when the processes of salt weathering and deflation act without scree movement. Removal of all slope debris by salt weathering and deflation corresponds to the solution y=0 in Lehmann’s differential equation of slope retreat form. An alternative process of slope retreat is based on undercutting of the free face under the influence of wind drifted snow. Bedrock slope forms measured in the field correspond to observed snow configuration. The stepped microrelief profile is as expected under the nivation hypothesis. Compound slopes with a range of declivities are related to variations in form of debris accumulation and snow conditions under changing climate.