Observation: Moab 1/30/2012

Observer Name:

Chris Benson

Region:

Moab

Observation Date:

01/30/2012

Location or Route:

Laurel Peak

Weather

Sky:

Few

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Warm day with increasing clouds

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Snowpack was more supportive with new snow settlement over the last week with a bit of a midpack seeming to form with a sense of bridging occuring although still weak and punchy in spots.

Red Flags

Red Flag Comments:

No red flags but spent most of the time in the skin track.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Primary Concern Comments:

Seems like we have quite the set up for a persistant slab problem that will take a long time to strengthen. Mayne into the realm of scary moderate where it is getting harder to trogger but but the structure of the snow pack will remain weak and problematic. Skied sw slope up to 35 degrees no signs of instability

snow_profile_location:

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate