Observation: Exxons Folley 12/27/2011

Observer Name:

Max Forgensi

Region:

Moab
Gold Basin
Exxons Folley

Observation Date:

12/27/2011

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

East

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Another bomber blue sky day.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

A proverbial facet garden hiding a mine field of rocks, logs, tiger traps...it's the ganglands out there with protective ski wear and defensive turns.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Some hollow wind skins and slabs out there. Not very big but if one went it would be a nasty ride through a thin snow pack.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Tour today was up to Exxon's Folley, the northernmost and most accessible ski shot in Gold Basin. Tour started at 10,000' and wound up just under 11,000'. Top 600' of vert or so had some OK coverage...we were skiing but very controlled. One person tried to get a little crazy and face planted (without injury) in the rock strewn facet garden.

Great views, good friends and glad to be in the mountains. Skiing downhill should be priority "last" for anyone heading out.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

A view from half way up the slope. Note the boulder field that usually is COVERED this time of year.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

We placed the skin track right where we were going to ski...just to check coverage. This is not the usual route...in fact this is the first time I used this route, usually hugging the side of the main avalanche path instead of in it.

We would have not utilized this route if it wasn't for the protection of past avalanches above and really no hazard above our heads. The past avalanches from earlier this season terminated on the bench above this picture.

Observed Danger Rating:

Low

Forecast Danger Rating:

Low