Observation: Moab

Observation Date
4/2/2018
Observer Name
Brian Hays
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Pre Laurel Peak and Red Snow Cirque
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Clear, sunny day. Warm when the wind was down, cool when the wind was up.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Skinned up to Pre Laurel and skied down the SW facing glades between Goldminers and Showoff....(Showminers?) where the snow conditions were corn like. Skinned into Red Snow Cirque and skied down via Tele Gold. Conditions were variable but but the skiing was quite good; supportable crusts, fairly consistent on a given aspect, especially good once the sun softened up the snow surface. Sunny aspects have taken a beating and coverage is thin. Shady aspects are fairly well filled in. The snow surface was quite firm in the morning which offered good, fast skiing but also potential to take a big slide in steep terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Spring conditions are in full swing. All but the most sheltered areas had a supportable crust. There are likely a few slabs over weak layers lurking out there but overall the snowpack is setting up and bridging weaknesses.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I observed a couple loose wet snow slides that look like they're from the last few days; the largest one on the west face of the subpeak below and to the lookers left of El Pinche near the head of Gold Basin. The wind kept things locked up while I was out this morning. I didn't observe any roller balls or even much soft snow before noon.
Comments
Tuk and Tuk No from Pre Laurel
Talking Mtn Cirque and Middle Cirque from Pre Laurel
Pre Laurel from Red Snow Cirque
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low