Observation: Manns Peak

Observation Date

1/4/2026

Observer Name

Chris Benson/ Anne Morrison

Region

Moab » Manns Peak

Location Name or Route

Mann's Peak

Weather

Sky

Broken

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Warm temps. Winds were Moderate and at times strong along the SE ridge of Mann's Peak. Little to no wind in the valley bottoms.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

10"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

In the Mann's Peak area, the height of snow ranges from 20-60cm with easterly aspects below treeline having the most snow. We observed lots of tree debris on the snow surface from the wind yesterday and experienced strong wind gusts in the alpine. While working low angle terrain towards Mann's peak from the south, it was evident that recent winds from the South and Southeast had transported snow onto SW and Westerly aspects in the trees. Gaining the ridge, we could see a small cornice that was produced from Westerly Winds- but not sure how old this cornice was.

Ski quality in sheltered south and east aspects was excellent- with soft surface snow on top of a supportive crust about 25 cm down (xmas crust).

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Plenty of wind up high- still transporting snow onto N, NE, and E aspects We got 1 or 2 collapses while breaking trail in a wind-loaded SW aspect. On East aspect near treeline, plenty of facets below the xmas crust- we chose to avoid one slope due to this structure.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Wind was still cranking up high. Could see some recent wind pillows near Burrow Pass on NE aspect.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

On east aspect NTL, the xmas crust was a bit intermittent. It seems like the New Year's slab as bonded fairly well to the xmas crust, but in areas where the crust is spotty, it seems more likely to be able to trigger a slab on top of the early winter facets.

Comments

1) Wind Loaded SW aspect where we got a collapse.

2) Wind Loaded NE aspect of Burro Pass

3) Cornice on NE aspect between Tomasaki and Mann's

4) East aspect NTL we choose to avoid due to poor snowpack structure

5) Groovy low angle powder skiing on east- get it while its good!

6) Mann's Peak-Type 2 ski fun