Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - March 16, 2018 - 7:28am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW but that doesn't mean no danger, and backcountry travelers still need to maintain a standard level of avalanche awareness by continuing to keep these things in mind.

-Ride slopes one at a time and stay out from underneath run out zones when someone else is on the slope.

-Suspect steep, wind drifted slopes that have a smooth rounded appearance or that have a hollow sound or feel to them

-Suspect areas of steep, rocky, or radical terrain right around treeline and above that faces NW-N-E where it still may be possible to trigger an avalanche 2-3' deep on weak, sugary, faceted snow near the ground.

-With daytime heating, avoid steep slopes with sloppy wet snow.
special announcement

Episode 6 of the UAC podcast "A Conversation with Tom Kimbrough" is live. We explore ideas about lifetime exposure to risk and what role Buddhism has played in his life as a climber, skier, and soon-to-be octogenarian. We talk about what has changed over the years in snow science and the role of mentorship in the world of avalanche forecasting and other professions and pursuits. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog.

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.

INSTAGRAM! We now have a UAC-Moab Instagram page. You can find it here....but better yet follow us on your smartphone. Confused? Ask a teenager.
current conditions

A trace to a couple inches of snow have fallen in the Abajo mountains. Not really enough to improve conditions or raise the avalanche danger. Wind and sun have been hard on this year's thin snow pack and it's dwindling rapidly since the last significant storm cycle now more than two weeks ago. South facing slopes have mostly melted out to the ground, and general cover on shady aspects is 2-3'. Kevin Dressell was up earlier in the week and sent in this report on the end of winter.

Wind, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Horse Head Mountain and the view west from North Creek Pass.

weather
general announcements

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.