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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
2/4/2017
Observer Name
R. Kennard
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
tele Gold and Middle Mountain Cirque
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
The bluebird skies we were hoping for never materialized on our tour. The skies in Gold Basin were overcast all day with light winds out of the south. Temps were in the mid 20's.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

We found the full gamut of snow conditions on our tour into gold basin today. The south faces that we encountered had a stout melt freeze crust that developed during this past weeks high pressure. The north faces were a mix of avy debris, wind crust and wind slab, with a few pockets of wind affected soft snow. We found a few soft redemption turns in the sheltered trees on our way out. The snow surface is pretty worked over and we could use a refresh.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
the winds during our last round of storms created some very stubborn wind slabs that are hanging on longer than I expected them to. We had one pocket of wind slab turn us around on our way into red snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

most of the snow surface that we encountered today had been effected by the wind in some fashion. Although these slabs should be stabilizing it is important to note that we encountered wind slabs in areas that are usually sheltered from the wind.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

We ski in a place with a continental snow pack. Steep featured terrain should be approached with caution and careful assessment before hopping onto more "radical" terrain.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate