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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/30/2019
Observer Name
Garcia/Ament
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
South Face Mann's Peak
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cloudless skies and endless visibility today. Winds were cranking out of the West on the high ridge lines. Blowing in the 30+ range on the peaks.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
We skied heavy powder on southerly aspects today. Pretty decent snow, no sun crusts encountered today. Snow was a little bit damp at the lower elevations.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Still avoiding North and East aspects, all I can say is they need more time. We observed a lot of old natural activity on North and East faces that most likely ran during last week's natural cycle. Most of these slides were off Burro Ridge. There was also an old natural on the SW face of Tomasaki in a wind loaded pocket around 11,200 ft. This is a similar aspect and elevation as the slide we observed five days ago on the West face of Tuk No. We enjoyed safe skiing today on SE, S, and SW aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The winds were cranking up high today, easily over 30 mph on the peaks. I think the winds have moved all the snow they can possibly move. Even with today's strong winds, I did not see any snow plumes blowing off any peaks. Plenty of evidence of wind scouring/loading on Burro Ridge and the ridge line between Mann's and Tomasaki. NE faces off this ridge were looking pretty fat. Most wind slabs at this point are old and very hard.
North Face of Burro Ridge, several old crowns can be seen in this photo. Second photo is NE off Burro, with an old crown on the left side of the photo.
A steep, deeply wind loaded ESE pocket. Mann's Peak showing evidence of heavy scouring/loading. And a very heavily scoured Mt. Tomasaki.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates