Observation Date
2/23/2025
Observer Name
Ben Gnar-Dar
Region
Moab » North Goup » Mount Waas
Location Name or Route
Waas NE shoulder "Uncompahgre Bowl"
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Our group got 3 or 4 different collapses today Below and NTL on NE and E aspects. Interestingly, one of them occurred on our second lap in a place we had already traveled. It seemed to occur when I placed my ski pole into the snowpack to feel for underlying weak layers. Another consideration was the temperatures-with warm afternoon temps that can change our ability to affect weak layers below the surface.
The poor snowpack structure was easy to feel simply by probing. As temps warmed, ski-pen increased on aspects that previously held crusts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
Castle (left) and La Sal (right) Peaks. We saw some remnants of avalanches on the east aspect of La Sal Peak.
With obvious signs of instability like collapsing and poor snow pack structure, we stuck to slopes less than 30 degrees and enjoyed a wonderful day in the mountains.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
