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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/2/2022
Observer Name
Garcia/Kennard
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Trans La Sal
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Light density pow on a very supportive base, perfect. Average depth on W aspects around 9,600' was about 115cm. The new snow was becoming sun affected on solar aspects at low elevations. Our skins were glopping up as we climbed back up to the truck at the end of the day.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We had one small collapse on a WNW aspect around 9,500 ft. I didn't feel the collapse, but my partner did, and we were about 20 feet apart. We saw natural avalanches in Corkscrew Glades and Dory Canyon.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We saw some avalanches today that ran on steep, shady, north facing terrain. These slides were viewed from a far distance, so it is hard to say if they failed on the facets at the bottom of the pack. We have had almost 4 feet of snow since 12/24. The slide in Dory doesn't look deeper than four feet, so I'm assuming this slide involved the newer snow only. The slide in Corkscrew looks deeper.
1. R2, D2 Natural avalanche in Dory Canyon, the starting zone is steep, rocky, and North facing.
2. Deep crowns in the top of Corkscrew Glades. The open shady slopes below these slides did not run, but are primed for a human trigger right now.
3. A small pocket that ripped naturally in Corkscrew.
4. Talking Mountain Cirque, a small sluff is visible lookers left of the El Pinche run out.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates