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. We have been working on the internet link for the |
General Conditions: Good Powder skiing and riding
can still be found in most areas of the La Sal mountains, except for south
facing slopes which may have developed a crust after a few days of sun. Low
winds, and cool dry weather will have kept the snow nice in most areas however,
making for the best conditions we have experienced in the La Sals this year.
The Tag-a-Long Sno-Cat has made some runs up and down the The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead
has been plowed and is in great shape for all vehicles. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Sunny, with a high near 38. South
wind between 5 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 |
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link) |
21’’ |
~ |
33 |
warming |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
32” |
|
|
warming |
|
N/a |
N/a |
25 |
Easterly @
10-20 mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) The
calm winds of late have been keeping the avalanche danger down in the La Sals
and as more time passes since our last storm the hazard creeps downward on
the scale every day. Last night however, the East winds reared their ugly
head as they will so often here in the La Sals. This wind will change the avi
equation a bit at upper elevations. Today we are calling the avalanche danger
MODERATE
on all slopes steeper than 35 degrees in the La Sal Mountains, with pockets
of CONSIDERABLE danger on upper
elevation slopes, at, and above treeline. What this means is that while
activity is not widespread, the possibility of a human triggered avalanche does
exist. This is especially true at upper elevations. Deep slab instability is a possibility. The
snow seems to be weakest right around treeline, and with the winds coming up
again finally, this will be the zone to watch. Another thing to start
inserting into your avalanche equation is daytime warming. While it’s
hard to think about this with We need your observations! Call
435-636-3363 or use the link near the top of the page to get to the observers
page! Yes, DO IT! Take a look at a snowpit from our tour
on |