UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Red Snow Headwall

Observation Date
2/19/2013
Observer Name
Max Forgensi
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Red Snow Cirque
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds surfaced throughout the day and actively transported snow due to saltation.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Skiing conditions above treeline was variable with wind crusts and recycled powder. Very easy to determine where the good snow was. Upper 4" were pretty creamy by very slick on the uptrack. Near surface facets will make a good sliding conditions for either wind slab development or storm snow.

West and south aspect below treeline did not warm today and had mostly breakable crust (2 cm) conditions.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Surprising. New avalanche activity noted in Exxon's Folly during the tour. North Facing, below treeline, ~11,000'. R2D2-WI. 300' wide, no more than 1' deep. Slab broke mid-track and ran for approximately 400 vertical feet.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs will continue to grow in size throughout the day and should be the primary concern of a backcountry traveler.

Comments

Below is a picture of conditions in Tele Gold, below Red Snow Cirque. Supportable creamy recycled powder.