Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 23, 2018 - 6:52am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on steep slopes that face NW-N-E right around treeline and above, especially on slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Human triggered wind slabs, and deeper persistent slab avalanches up to 3' deep are likely in these areas. Backcountry travelers need to practice cautious route finding and make conservative decisions. Expect the danger to increase during the day as new and drifting snow make conditions more sensitive. The avalanche danger is MODERATE below treeline.
special announcement

Episode 5 of the UAC podcast "To Hell in a Heartbeat - A Conversation With Tom Diegel and Matt Clevenger About the 12.26.08 Full Burial on Little Water" is live. Matt and Tom talk about the avalanche documented in To Hell in a Heartbeat. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog.​

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

Things are starting to turn around for the Abajo Mountains. Depending on elevation, 10-16" of snow has fallen since Monday and it's finally looking like winter up there. Buckboard Flat is reporting 6" of new since late Wednesday, and Kevin Dressel was stomping around up high on Jackson Ridge yesterday where he reported a foot of new snow. Read about his travels here.

Southeast ridge top winds overnight were mostly light but they've picked up this morning into the 20 mph range with gusting to 30. That trend should continue today. 9000' temps are in the low to mid teens and a it's a frigid 2 degrees on Abajo Peak.

Wind, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

It's finally looking like winter up there! Kevin Dressel photo.

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weather

It's going to be a cold, snowy, windy day in the mountains. 10,000' temps will be in the mid teens but wind chill values will make it feel well below zero. Southwest winds will be on the increase averaging 20-25 mph with gusting to 40. 4-8" of snow are possible today with showers lingering overnight.
general announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.