Advisory: Logan Area Mountains | Issued by Toby Weed for December 7, 2012 - 7:01am |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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bottom line There is a MODERATE danger on drifted upper elevation slopes in the backcountry. Heightened avalanche conditions exist, and you could trigger persistent slab or fresh wind slab avalanches on steep slopes above around 8000' in elevation, most likely on slopes facing northwest through east. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully and avoid steep drifted upper elevation slopes....
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current conditions The Tony Grove Snotel reports 4 inches of fresh snow containing 3/10ths of an inch of water in the last 24 hours. The site now reports 30 inches of total snow, 82% of normal for the date, and it's 19 degrees at 8400' this morning. You'll find better coverage at upper elevations and nice smooth shallow powder conditions. This week's dense snow and wind filled in the rocky terrain significantly, and you can now travel confidently in many areas where you would have hit rocks last weekend. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter travel and conditions are always changing. Several parties including mine were able to park at the lake yesterday, but several vehicles also got stuck, requiring a good deal of hand excavation to be freed. Be sure you are prepared with shovels and other emergency supplies if you attempt the drive.
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recent activity Natural avalanches occurred last weekend in the steep terrain on the west side of Tony Grove Lake, and my party triggered a good sized wind slab on Tuesday at around 9400' on a drifted northeast facing slope off the South Ridge of Mt Magog, northwest of Tony Grove Lake. The avalanche was around a foot deep and 40' wide or so. Here's a link....Mt. Magog Avalanche. No other avalanche activity has been reported Locally...
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type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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description
On some slopes, wind slabs built this week on top of weak sugary snow called near surface facets, and we can expect a lingering persistent danger in these areas. Dangerous avalanches up to around 2-feet-deep and 100-feet-wide or so are possible in steep upper elevation terrain, primarily on slopes facing north through east. Pay close attention to red flags like audible collapsing and cracking, avoid steep obviously drifted slopes, and make conservative decisions regarding your route... |
type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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description
You could trigger fresh wind slab avalanches in steep drifted terrain at upper elevations today, so you should avoid steep slopes with recent accumulations of drifted snow. Slopes near ridge-tops with developing cornices are obvious ones to avoid, but wind slabs will also form in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, sub-ridges, cliff bands, and rock outcroppings.. With very shallow snow cover still, this is not a good time to be taken for a ride through the sharp rocks or down trees and stumps that currently plague local avalanche run-out zones. |
weather It will be pleasantly cool today with mountain temperatures remaining sub freezing, with forecast highs at 8500' around 25 degrees. Expect breezy conditions with an increasing west wind in the teens and mostly cloudy skies... A storm this weekend will usher in much colder temperatures. West winds will increase tonight and snow is possible (maybe even down at lower elevations), with 3 to 5 inches of accumulation forecast for upper elevations and winds gusting up to around 40 mph on the ridges. Expect a wintry day tomorrow, with temperatures in the low teens, a few more inches of snow, and even stronger west winds. Temperatures will drop to the lower single digits tomorrow night. Another small storm will cross far northern Utah on Monday with only light accumulations expected. Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...
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general annoucements Donate to your favorite non-profit –The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work. Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or email by clicking HERE. In the Logan Area you can contact Toby Weed directly at 435-757-7578. This advisory is produced by the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. |