Observation: NE Face Skier's Left

Observation Date

1/17/2026

Observer Name

Trenbeath

Region

Moab » Gold Basin » Talking Mountain Cirque » NE Face Skier's Left

Location Name or Route

Talking Mountain Cirque

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

Another sunny but slightly cooler day in the mountains than we've seen. High temps at 10,000' stayed below freezing. The relentless, ridge top NW winds finally backed off by afternoon.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Nearly every possible snow surface type can be found out there. If looking on the bright side, there is enough snow cover to get around and rain crust is still keeping you above the basal facets. Some slopes have been smoothed over and rocks are covered. They should be in okay shape when it snows again. Other slopes, especially wind scoured above tree line, not so much. Was pleased to see SW aspects still holding snow, due S getting thin.

Wind affected snow on an exposed NE aspect.

SW slopes still holding snow.

South getting thin again.

Decent coverage in this north facing, high alpine cirque where the winds haven't scoured it too badly.

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Poor snowpack structure remains with faceted snow beneath the Christmas rain crust with January snow creating a slab on top. Surface snow is also getting weak, particularly in sheltered terrain below tree line. The entire pack will soon be faceted in those areas.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Faceted snow beneath the Christmas rain crust continues to present as a problem where an overriding slab exists. The rain crust where I dug on a N aspect near tree line at 10,800' was quite stout but even after cutting through it, it reacted stubbornly with a score of ECTP30. Failure did occur on facets beneath the crust. I believe human triggered avalanches failing on this layer are becoming more the exception than the rule, but the the thickness of the crust and the amount of wind loading will play a factor.

Photo illustrates ECTP30 failure beneath the Christmas rain crust.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

A few isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in the high country.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

Learn More

Get the Training

Reading a Forecast

Help the Community

Upcoming Events

Observations & Avalanches