Introduction: Good
Morning this is Dave Medara with the WE ARE STARTING TO FILL UP OUR AIARE LEVEL 1 AND
LEVEL 2 CLASSES BEING HELD IN THE LA SALS THIS YEAR. THE LEVEL 1 IS FEBRUARY 3RD-5TH
(FRI-SUN), WHILE OUR LEVEL 2 IS MARCH 3RD-6TH (FRI-MON). CALL (435) 636-3363 FOR MORE INFORMATION
AND TO SIGN UP. EACH CLASS IS LIMITED
TO 12 STUDENTS. TUITION GOES TO THE
FRIENDS OF THE MANTI-LA SAL AVALANCHE CENTER. 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. MLAC NEWS: We have started an observer page for
folks to send us their backcountry observations. Report what you see in your
backcountry travels HERE.
Please send us your reports on avalanches, ski conditions, road conditions,
snow pit profiles etc. Thanks! You can also report observations at
435-636-3363. |
General Conditions: About 14” of new snow has fallen
at the The roads to the Geyser Pass Trailhead
is plowed and passable by 2WD vehicles, but remember it gets slippery! Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Partly cloudy, with a
high around 23. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. South southwest wind
between 10 and 15 mph. |
Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS): in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
6:00 a.m. Temp (F) |
Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
26’’ |
0” |
12 |
|
|
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
~ |
|
39” |
0” |
N/a |
6” |
Pre-Laurel Peak Station
(11,705’) |
N/a |
N/a |
7 |
Light
Southwesterly |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) The
winds are continuing to be on their best behavior. In a departure from normal
conditions, light winds are keeping the avalanche danger down and allowing
the snowpack to adjust to the loads from last week’s snowfall. We did
see limited wind slab formation above treeline earlier this week but have yet
to see this result in any natural avalanche activity. We are calling the avalanche
danger today MODERATE on most slopes in the La Sal Mountains today with pockets
of CONSIDERABLE near treeline, where the old snow is weakest, and above
treeline where the snow is more affected by the wind. This means that while
natural activity is unlikely, the weight of a skier or a snow machine,
tweaking our weak, brittle snowpack, could result in a big surprise for
someone. Use caution and try to evaluate the strength of any slope steeper
then 35 degrees you are considering playing on, especially on E-NE-NW facing
shady side slopes. It is getting better out there for widespread winter
travel in the La Sals, but as always proceed with caution. The La Sals are no
place to take chances with avalanches. Take a look at a snowpit from our tour
on 01/15/06 here. |