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Observation: Beaver Basin

Observation Date
1/26/2025
Observer Name
Benson, Naumen, Morrison
Region
Moab » Beaver Basin
Location Name or Route
Bear Beaver Zone
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Gradual clearing trend. Haze or smoke obscured views to the east. Temps felt warm and uncle gusty was taking a rest day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
We traveled from 8,600-11,600' on mostly N, NE, and E aspects. Hs 10-11K was around 40-70cm. Snow line seemed to be around 7K. We found enjoyable, supportive skiing on sheltered polar aspects. Anything in the wind zone was utterly blasted. Some east aspects had a bit of a melt freeze crust.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The snow is weak and thin but still supportive with ski pen around 10-20cm. Some spots below and near treeline felt a bit punchy, with the deepest part of the snowpack feeling a bit softer than the "midpack" Much of the snowpack consists of facets, however, we found soft settled powder and supportive skiing, so there is some bridging going on.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Mid elevations polar aspects probably the most suspect, with a bit of a mid pack with facets above and below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The alpine is just blasted, but there are probably some stubborn wind slabs that could be triggered with substantive loads in the thin spots.
Photo 1 yep... Strong northerly winds over the last few weeks have scoured this NE aspect quite a way down from ridgeline. Even semi-protected trees had stout wind-affected snow that skied like a velvety bowling ball. On more exposed E aspects, the wind has either stripped all snow or left a glassy smooth surface of unknown and variable depth.
Photo 2 East aspect of "La Sal" peak.
Photo 3 North aspect of Manns peak with evidence of NW and Westerly winds.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates