Thanks to Bruce Tremper for covering for me while I was away. He set the bar pretty high and I would have expected nothing less.
This advisory is based on field work performed on Monday, February 8. With high pressure forecasted for the rest of the week, I don't foresee much of a change in avalanche conditions. Use the weather links under current conditions to stay abreast of current wind and temperature. Look for the next update on Saturday, February 13.
I will be holding a Know Before You Go avalanche awareness talk on Thursday, February 11 in Monticello at the Canyon Country Discovery Center at 6:00 p.m. Call me for details: 801-647-8896
The January thaw has arrived in February and we have a mixed bag of spring like conditions out there including wind and sun crusts, and gloppy wet snow. Northerly winds have hammered the powder on exposed slopes above treeline, but isolated areas of soft, settled or re-crystallized powder remain in sheltered locations.
With warm daytime temperatures and strong overnight freezes, I expect we will have corn like conditions developing on south through west aspects later in the week. Best strategy for now is to stay off of these slopes and allow a smooth, supportable, melt-freeze surface to form. When it does, ride it early and then get off to avoid leaving deep ruts in the snow. Then you can return day after day to enjoy the smooth, creamy surface.
![](/sites/default/files/images/staff/Eric/IMG_0722.JPG)
Wind damaged snow exists in most exposed locations.
![](/sites/default/files/images/staff/Eric/IMG_0742.JPG)
But you can still find some areas of soft settled, or re-crystallized powder in sheltered areas.
Winds, temperature and humidity on Pre-Laurel Peak
New snow totals, temperature and humidity in Gold Basin
Total snow depth and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead
![](/sites/default/files/images/staff/Eric/IMG_0736.JPG)
I observed these loose, wet avalanches on a steep westerly aspect in Talking Mountain Cirque. As the snow surface develops a stout crust, slides such as these will become less likely, but you should always remain aware of signs of instability such as wet sloppy snow, and pinwheels or roller balls coming down the slope.