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Observation: La Sal Mountains

Observation Date
2/5/2015
Observer Name
Marshall Dvorscak
Region
Moab » La Sal Mountains
Location Name or Route
Horse Creek
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Warm, sunny, calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow conditions were directly related to sun exposure. Dense sticky snow anywhere the afternoon sun gets to it. Snow in the shadows was nice and loose. skiing from shade to sun made for easy faceplants.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Blazing afternoon sun and no wind on a steep southwest facing slope caused significant surface melting. We found several inches of slush with visible water. There were no signs of avalanches yet.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
10,600'
Comments
We went for a low angle tour in the meadows on the east side of Horse creek on Thursday 2/5/2015. The snow was dense and easy to travel on even with a trailer. Any snow that was shadowed by trees was soft, loose, and made for nice turns downhill and difficult climbing uphill. By the afternoon the sun was quite intense and wind was dead calm on a steep southwest facing slope making wet slides a concern for us. I would recommend a wax if you plan on being out in the afternoon.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates