Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center

US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest               

Introduction:  Good Morning!  This is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory.  Today is Saturday, December 11th, 2004 at 7:30 a.m.  

 

To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE.  To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE.  To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page.

 

General Conditions:

What another beautiful day to get out into the La Sals!  Yesterday the temperatures at the Geyser Pass Trailhead reached into the mid-forties while up on Pre-Laurel Peak the temperatures stayed just below 20 degrees.  The road is plowed, a wide snowmobile track is set to Geyser Pass and plenty of powder still hiding on North thru East aspects.  Yesterday the sun warmed up all the South through East aspects, especially at or below treeline.  Expect a sun-crust on these aspects in the morning and the potential for point releases on these aspects as the day warms up. 

 

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): 30 degrees out with 25”-32” on the ground.

Pre-Laurel Peak (11,700’):  6:00 am temperature is 17 degrees, with winds out of the NNE at 2 mph, gusting to 8.

Gold Basin has about 40-46” of settled snow on the ground.

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today:  Mostly sunny.  High near 41.  Winds will switch to the SSW at 10 mph, gusting to 20.

Tonight:  Clear.  Low near 23.  Winds will continue out of the SSW at 5-10 mph, gusting to 20.

Sunday:  Partly cloudy.  High near 43.  Winds will be out of the S at 5-10, gusting to 20. 

 

Avalanche Conditions:

Yesterday was a really good day to go out and observe the changes in the snow, and it has on all aspects and elevations.  The warm weather has started to let point releases go on S-W aspects, especially after 12:00.  If you start to see point releases or roller balls on the slope your skiing, it is time to get off of them.  I have two main concerns for today.  There are still some consistent wind-slabs above treeline that could be reactive.  An avalanche on the headwall of Red Snow Cirque confirms that.  This natural happened on a NE aspect on a slope ~40 degrees.  Another area is on steep NW-NE aspects below treeline.  There was a sizeable avalanche in Gold Basin (2’ crown) that happened sometime yesterday.  At least 200 feet wide and running for less than 100 feet, these pockets are just as dangerous as obvious avalanche paths.  Remember, it takes less than a dump truck of snow to bury you.  For today, I am going to rate the avalanche danger as MODERATE in these areas and on slopes greater than 35 degrees.   A MODERATE danger level means that a natural avalanche is unlikely, while human-triggered avalanches are still possible.  Remember to employ your safe-skiing techniques at all times, and that your first goal is to return safely home to your loved ones.  The mountains will always be here.

 

Nordic and Skate Skiing:

An enjoyable day for you classic Nordic skiers with just a little bit of new snow to break trail in.  Skate skiing will be compromised due to the fact the track is not very wide and the new snow.