Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - February 24, 2018 - 7:29am
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 avalanches up to 3' deep are likely in these areas. There is a MODERATE danger for triggering a loose snow avalanche on steep slopes today. Backcountry travelers need to practice cautious route finding and make conservative decisions.
special announcement

https://utahavalanchecenter.org/observations/37383Episode 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

It's been a big week for the Abajo Mountains. Buckboard Flat has received 14-16" of snow since Wednesday afternoon, with as much as 2' up high. We still have some catching up to do but it's finally looking like winter up there. Kevin Dressel was out and about in the eye of the storm yesterday and sent in this report.

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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Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Snow over the past couple of days has placed a significant load on our fragile snowpack and the additional weight of a skier or rider is likely all it will take to trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep on steep slopes right around treeline and above that face NW-N-E.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Strong southerly winds this week have drifted snow and formed wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Avoid steep slopes with smooth rounded deposits of wind drifted snow.

Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Kevin Dressler reported natural loose snow sluffing yesterday across the road in North Creek. The sensitivity will have abated some, but it will still be possible to trigger a loose snow sluff today.

weather

It's going to be mostly sunny and cold today with moderate WSW winds blowing along the ridge tops. High temps at 10,000' will be in the mid teens but wind chill factors will be well below zero. A few clouds later today will bring a chance for scattered showers tonight.
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.