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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
12/22/2021
Observer Name
Garcia/Ament
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
There is still good, soft snow to be found on sheltered north facing terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure was our only red flag today. By this point we all know it's there, but if you take out your shovel and dig down you will see the weak layers we are traveling on top of. Seeing the large grained facets at the bottom of the pack should have you thinking long and hard about terrain choices. This is the classic low probability, high consequence scenario.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Stiff 1 Finger slab on top of buried facets. The buried PWL seems stubborn to trigger right now. We crossed a few steep north facing test slopes with no results, we broke trail in some north facing terrain without any collapsing. We performed an ECT on a north facing 25 degree slope at 10,600 feet and got no results, ECTX. Despite all of this, our snowpack structure is capable of producing large, deadly avalanches. They are just harder to trigger right now. Likely starting zones would be shallow rocky areas on big, steep, wide open terrain. Steep convexities are also likely trigger points right now. A slide right now would likely be wide and deep. Terrain is key to mitigating the problem.
1. Walking around on some steep, wind loaded test slopes that face N and NE, no results
2. ECTX in this pit on a 25 degree north facing slope at 10,600 ft.
3. The sun and wind has really done a number on slopes facing S and W.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates