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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/10/2015
Observer Name
Kristi Jensen
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Pinto Glades
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
I started the hike in thinking it was going to snow as the clouds and fog were drifting in but as I hit the glades I was drenched in sun and spring like conditions.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sun baked crust with a shallow layer of surface hoar on the surface.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
I was surely thinking I was going to just go for a tour with my dog to check out the access to an area I hadn't been to in 10 years. The Pinto Glades are low angle with a southwest aspect and after no new snow and a recent sunny warming trend I reckoned it would be poor skiing, meaning breakable crust. I was wondering how much fun I was going to have wearing my skins going down. The whole way up and part of the way down I thought it was just going to be horrible. Part way down, however, I got off the track and realized I wasn't breaking through. I removed my skins and ended up skiing corny hoar (can I say that?) on supportable crust. I got lucky. There is no way anyone would have ever thought that this area would have been good skiing in these conditions. It was so fun I went up several times. My lucky day.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates