Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - March 18, 2018 - 7:23am
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Today will be a day of rapidly changing avalanche conditions. Quickly rising to MODERATE the avalanche danger could reach CONSIDERABLE today as blowing and accumulating snow create dangerous avalanche conditions, particularly in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain that faces NW-N-E. Human triggered wind slab avalanches will grow increasingly likely today, and deeper persistent slab avalanches will be possible. Backcountry travelers need to be alert to changing conditions, and possess good snow stability assessment and route finding skills.

Out of the wind zone the avalanche danger is MODERATE.

Low elevation terrain offers mostly LOW danger.
special announcement

Episode 7 of the UAC Podcast "Mastery and False Mastery - An Interview with 'Big' Don Sharaf" is live. With a snow career spanning over 30 years, Don has enough mileage in the mountains to have learned a thing or two, including the profound value of humility when staring into the face of the dragon. Listen in on our conversation about the idea of mastery and if such a thing can exist in the avalanche world. Check it out on ​the UAC blog, ITunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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

INSTAGRAM! We now have a UAC-Moab Instagram page. You can find it here....but better yet follow us on your smartphone. Confused? Ask a teenager.
current conditions

Snowfall has just begun and southerly winds are averaging 20-30 mph on Abajo Peak as winter struggles to maintain a hold. Wind and sun have been hard on this year's thin snow pack and it's dwindling rapidly since the last significant storm cycle now more than two weeks ago. South facing slopes have mostly melted out to the ground, and general cover on shady aspects is 2-3'.

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

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Horse Head Mountain and the view west from North Creek Pass.

recent activity

Forecaster Brett Kobernik remotely triggered this large avalanche on Thursday, on the Manti-Skyline. This area is in the north zone of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. This is a frightening display of the power of buried, persistent weak layers.
weather

Blowing and drifting snow is on tap for today as a storm moves through our area. 6-10" of snow are possible with moderate to strong SW winds. High temps at 10,000' will be in the low 20's.

general announcements

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny

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.