Observation: Gold Miners 1/25/2012

Observer Name:

Max Forgensi

Region:

Moab
Gold Basin
Gold Miners

Observation Date:

01/25/2012

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

North

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

Ridge top winds were actively transporting and depositing snow on leeward sides of above tree line ridges. Southerly aspects gained strong radiation. Powder snow from Monday was already turning towards corn conditions. Beautiful day in the mountains.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Wind slabs forming near ridge lines. Very energetic snow pack. Whoomphs and settlements were creating cracks in the snow for over 200 yards in some locations. All aspects were touchy. Very unexpected instabilities on south and west aspect slopes from treeline to below treeline locations.

I would not even touch the Funnel or Show Off proper for at least three more days.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Rapid Warming

Red Flag Comments:

Although natural avalanche activity was limited to isolated terrain features and their size were relatively small. The La Sal Mountains will be very reactive to a skier or snowmobiles weight. Human triggered avalanches will be probable in many areas.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

East

South

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

New Snow

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

South

Southwest

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Low

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

Although natural avalanche activity is rated only at possible, human triggered avalanches are probable. The snow contains a lot of energy (sudden planar, sudden collapse) shears that propagate long distances. Natural stress has stopped below the natural avalanche activity threshold.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Snow profile and stability tests taken at 11,300', North aspect and on a 23 degree slope.

CTM 15, CTVE, Q1, 95 cm down on facets, under the pre-storm wind skin.

ECTP21 on same layer.

The slope collapsed as a third skier approached the exposed site.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Very small avalanche, which is part of a larger collapse (over 300 yards) on a low elevation west aspect @ 10,000' in Gold Basin. I wonder what would happen above this slope? Not good.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable