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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
3/1/2019
Observer Name
Garcia/Ament
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Lower Exxon's
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy. Sun peeked through the clouds every now and then. Gold Basin recorded temps in the low 30's but it felt colder than that, perhaps due to the lack of sun, and light winds. We stayed at low and mid elevations in Gold Basin. The canyon bottom was channeling light winds out of the NW adding a chill to the air.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was the slightest trace of new snow overnight. While crossing SW facing slopes to get into Gold Basin we encountered melt freeze crusts. On north facing aspects we found soft, settled, heavy powder. This snow was slightly damp, but still skied well.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
As stated above we experienced light winds today out of the W, NW, and even N at times. Pre Laurel was reporting SW on the ridge tops, we stayed in the canyon bottom. Some snow was blowing around today, but not really enough to load lee slopes in the mid and low elevations where we traveled.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Persistent weak layers remain on a variety of aspects. Today we traveled mainly on North facing terrain at low and mid elevations. We stuck to terrain with a deep snow pack that had not previously avalanched this year. We kept our slope angles right around 30 degrees while occasionally hitting the low 30's. I would describe our terrain choices today as "moderate", a good way to test the waters regarding other north facing terrain. No red flags noted in our travels today.
Nate jumping on a mid elevation test slope, North facing, just over 30 degrees. No results.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate