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 Wednesday, May 4th, 2005 at 9:00 am.  This advisory is sponsored by the Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center. 

 

THIS WILL BE THE LAST ADVISORY OF THE SEASON.  IF CONDITIONS WARRANT, ADDITIONAL ADVISORIES WILL BE POSTED TO KEEP YOU, THE SNOW RIDER, INFORMED OF CONDITIONS IN THE BACK COUNTRY. 

 

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:

Where in the world are we?  It is tough to imagine that the snow conditions can be so excellent in the Red Rock Desert in May.  It is time to wake up and enjoy some of the finest spring skiing the La Sal Mountain has had in years.  Clouds and cold temperatures have held their grasp in the high country, and for the next few days you’ll be more apt to find powder conditions than corn skiing.  This could change at a moments notice though.  If you are heading up to ski, be prepared for any type of snow condition/temperature regime. 

 

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’):  28” at the SNOTEL, last night the temperatures stayed above freezing.    

Pre-Laurel Peak (11,700’):  The Friends of the Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center has purchased a new radio system, this summer it will be installed and ready for the 2005/2006 season.   

Gold Basin and South Mountain (10,000’):  80” of settled snow on the ground.   

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

            There is a chance of snow every day through Saturday, May 7th in the High Country.  High temperatures will reach into the high 40’s to low 50’s every day.  Low temperatures will dip below freezing every night.  Thunderstorm activity during the early afternoon may result in significant snowfall amounts and intensities. 

 

Avalanche Conditions:

            Cold winter snow will be found in the high elevations.  There is a solid layer below this new snow on South through West aspects, while on Northern aspects it seems more like winter than spring.  Be weary of cross-loaded slopes and large wind deposits of snow in the upper reaches of the mountains. 

            In the very near future, corn skiing will become the norm up in the La Sals.  If you are going out to farm some of the greatest corn-skiing on Earth (outside of Greenland), start early and end early.  Use the “day-light savings time” to your advantage.  The corn seems to ripen on those slopes that get the early solar radiation by 9:30-10:00.  If you start to produce pin-wheels or you start to punch through the snow (signs of wet slab instability), Mother Nature is telling you to head down to the Red Rock Desert and test your skills on the rest of the sports that fill your closets and garages with tons of gear. 

            Enjoy your spring, and before you know it, the snow will be flying again in the fall.  Take care!