Episode 7 of the UAC Podcast "Mastery and False Mastery - An Interview with 'Big' Don Sharaf" is live. With a snow career spanning over 30 years, Don has enough mileage in the mountains to have learned a thing or two, including the profound value of humility when staring into the face of the dragon. Listen in on our conversation about the idea of mastery and if such a thing can exist in the avalanche world. Check it out on the UAC blog, ITunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Clouds are moving in over the area, southerly winds are averging 25 mph with gusts to 40, and it's a very warm 39 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Sunday's 16" of low density snow has quickly receded into history and most surfaces are now showing the affects of wind, sun, and warm temperatures.
Base depth in Gold Basin: 41" Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 29"
New snow totals in Gold Basin.
Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, (9600')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Road conditions to Geyser Pass Trailhead: Grand County plowed the road on Tuesday. Expect to find it snowpacked and slicked with mud on the lower end.
Grooming conditions: Trails are not groomed.
Most of the avalanche activity during Sunday's storm was confined to the new snow running as loose snow sloughs, storm slabs or wind slabs, but there appears to have been a few pockets in steep, rocky terrain that pulled out into older snow.
This avalanche appears to have broken into old snow and looks to be up to 3' deep. Note the character of the surrounding terrain - rocky, featured, and right near treeline, a typical area for finding underlying weak snow. (Tim Mathews photo)