We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche course on Feb 8, 9. It's a great way to up your avalanche knowledge with both classroom, and hands on field instruction. Click
here for more details and to register. Much thanks to
Moab Gear Trader for sponsoring this course! Please visit them for all of your winter backcountry needs.
Skies are clear, westerly winds are light, and 10,000' temps are in the low teens. It's going to he another gorgeous day in the mountains before things start to change, so get up and enjoy the beautiful weather before snow returns on Sunday! Clouds will move into the area tomorrow ahead of the first in a series of Pacific storm systems to affect our area. We may see a few showers by afternoon, but the real action looks like it will come Sunday, with heavy snowfall, and strong SW winds. Up to a foot to a foot of snow seems likely by Monday.
The snow surface is getting tired and worn, but in my travels yesterday I still managed to find quite a bit of soft snow out there. Observers early this week reported the same. Check out
observations from Brian Hays, Dave Garcia, and Nate Ament. Snow conditions notwithstanding, the beautiful weather and million dollar views make a trip up to the mountains worth it.
Base depth in Gold Basin: 58"
Mann's Peak, and Mount Tomasaki, with the San Juan Mountains in the distance. Dave Garcia photo.
I've completed the
final report on Friday's fatal avalanche. Our deepest sympathies continue to go out to the family and friends of local Monticello resident, Scott Pehrson Jr. who was killed in the accident. Much thanks to San Juan, and Grand County Search and Rescues, Classic Air Medical and the Utah Department of Public Safety, Snowbird, Wasatch Powder Bird Guides, and professional dog teams from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta, and Park City ski patrols.