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Observation: Middle Cirque Glades

Observation Date
1/29/2024
Observer Name
Garcia
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway » Goldminer's » Gold Basin » Middle Cirque Glades
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway, Goldminer's, Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Barely a puff of wind out there and not a cloud in the sky. Beautiful day in the mountains.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
No wind affect to speak of, skiing is great on the shady slopes. I was surprised to find that even the solar aspects skied nicely today.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I observed some shallow wet-loose avalanches on steep SW facing slopes around 11,000 ft.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
No collapsing today. AM travel was on solars, PM travel was in virgin snow on Northerly aspects up to about 10,900 ft. Poor snowpack structure was observed in both pits today. The first on a SW aspect at 11,190 with ECTP 29 and the second on a NE at 10,570 with ECTP 22.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
40 degrees in Gold Basin today, and strong sunshine took an effect on the solar aspects. I observed roller balls on slopes facing S and W, and I observed a few shallow wet-loose avalanches on SW aspects that resulted in some small debris piles. Not enough to bury a person, but certainly enough to push you around. Very warm and sunny again tomorrow, I would expect to see more of this.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates