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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/2/2022
Observer Name
Nauman, Howell, Quinn, Wilson, Darling
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Gold Knob
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
It was an absolutely beautiful bluebird day. Could have taken a nap on the gold knob summit.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We found pretty soft fun snow with some wind affected areas near the ridgeline. However, the south faces got downright hot today and the snow was getting really sticky. There will be variable sun crusts on south aspects tomorrow. Pole pokes revealed mostly 90-150 cm of snow on the southerly aspects from 9500-11000 that we toured.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
We saw a large number of avalanches on northerly aspects, but the south aspects we were on felt solid. There were some wind slabs along the ridgeline, but they did not feel particularly reactive. We observed avalanches on Pilot Peak, Gold Knob, Burro Pass, Haystack, Horse Creek, and Dory Canyon - all on north faces and some quite large. This last cycle was pretty impressive.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
On non solar aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
There are still many wind slabs that might be reactive for a while longer. The wind just wreaked havoc over the last week.
Comments
Hard to beat these kind of days
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates