We will offer an Avalanche Awareness Class, for beginners and as a refresher for those already with some training, including a Field Day in the backcountry. Class begins tomorrow evening, and will run all day Saturday January 10. Call Paige at 435-757-2794 for more information.
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 57 inches of total snow containing 135% of average water for the date, and its already a balmy 37 degrees this morning. The wind sensor is still rimed at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, but it's also already 37 degrees at 9700'. Not much in the way of nice powder out there anymore, after recent strong winds, rime, and warm temperatures, but some observers are still finding areas with smooth, consistent and "creamy" snow. Good days to get out and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather though. Touring and riding conditions are fairly good despite the lack of powder, with mostly supportable snow, so you can easily cover some ground.
I found a thin translucent zipper rime-crust on the snow surface at upper elevations Monday. (1-5-2015)
****Observational and snowpit video from Burn Bowl on 1-5-2014....HERE
I ran across a fresh natural wind slab avalanche on Monday, (1-5-2015). The 1-foot deep and 100 feet wide avalanche occurred on a heavily drifted mid-elevation southeast facing slope. Warm temperatures yesterday caused some natural loose wet activity in sunny terrain.
Natural wet sluffs from midday yesterday in South Hollow. The avalanches on a southeast facing slope at around 8500' started in rock bands and left 2 to 3' deep piles of heavy wet debris. ( Flygare 1-6-2015)
*****1-5-15 Wind Slab Avalanche Video Observation.......HERE
Visit our Backcountry Observations Page for more information.....