Observation Date
12/14/2024
Observer Name
Ament, Nauman
Region
Moab » Talking Mt. Cirque
Location Name or Route
El Pinche apron L (Gnarmandia)
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
30 min of very light snow. Little to no transport of surface snow.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variable snow surface, with pockets of light, fast, shallow powder on a supportive base. Textured snow areas on pockets of wind slab.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Basal facets on a rough ice layer at the bottom of the snowpack. No ECT failures in facets.
ECTN23 @ 70 cm
ECTN29 @ 33 cm (sun crust)
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Saw a few small avalanches in areas of 4F+ wind slab near gullies and loose trees over 30 degrees. Some wind slab we skinned over was supportive but hollow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
11,100'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
We wanted to get some data on W facing terrain at treeline. No propagation in our test pit, and we skied pockets of sub 30 terrain from 11,500. No cracking or collapses.
Still good conditions considering it's 10 days before Xmas. Skiing is better than not skiing!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
