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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Saturday morning, February 5, 2022
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations and generally stable snow conditions exist. Watch for areas of unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Higher consequence terrain increases your risk where even a small slide could carry you through rocks or over a cliff.
Hard snow conditions exist and dangerous "slides for life" are possible. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
We will be holding a Backcountry 101 course Feb 18, 19. It's a great introduction to understanding avalanche hazard and how to travel through the mountains safely. Go here for details and to register. And a huge thanks to our friends at Moab Gear Trader for their sponsorship of this course!
Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is dirt and mud down low, snow packed and icy above. AWD and good tires are recommended.
Grooming: LUNA Matt from Rim Tours groomed all trails yesterday. Follow LUNA (Lower Utah Nordic Alliance) on Instagram @luna_moab
Weather and Snow
6:00 a.m. Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Base Depth in Gold Basin 39" Wind NW 5-15 Temp 12F
NWS Weather Forecast for the La Sal Mountains
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Snowpack
Dave Garcia and I went on a weak surface snow hunt on Friday, and we found plenty of loose, sugary snow in wind sheltered areas. The distribution of this faceted surface snow varies widely however, and many surfaces remain hard, crusted, or heavily textured. Where crusts are thin, the snow is faceting underneath. This makes mapping of this future weak layer tricky, particularly above treeline where conditions are the most variable. Generally speaking, the more sheltered the area, the more likely the facets.
Recent Avalanches
In our travels yesterday we came upon several old, but previously unreported avalanches on the NE side of Laurel Ridge. This area is heavily wooded, but is very steep terrain, and it is worth noting the avalanche potential back there.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Though the avalanche danger is low and generally stable conditions exist, here are some things to keep in mind:
  • Isolated, unstable areas of wind drifted snow may exist on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as sub-ridges and rock outcroppings above treeline. Shallow wind slabs shouldn't pose much of a threat but one could sweep you of your feet and carry you over a cliff, especially if you are stomping around in higher, more extreme terrain. Be wary of smooth rounded deposits, or areas where the snow feels or sounds hollow underneath.
  • As the snow surface continues to weaken we'll start to see loose snow sluffs in steep terrain. These small slides generally won't pose much of a threat but they could sweep you off your feet and carry you over a cliff so be mindful of your exposure.
  • Areas of very firm snow exist where a fall could produce a dangerous, slide for life. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Additional Information
The beacon training park is up and running above the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Pull out your beacon and practice your skills as you head up the trail! A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts and Moab Gear Trader for their support of this great resource!
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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