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: Powder skiing is “on”
again in the La Sal mountains thanks to the 4-8” of new dense powder
that fell Wednesday night. Improving conditions do not mean great conditions however, a light
touch is still required to keep you from falling through “the trap door”
into the rotten snow below. Also, I
feel compelled to continue warning folks about the ground hazard out there,
especially in the wooded glades. Some strong winds accompanied the new snow
(see avalanche conditions below!) and sheltered areas will be your best bet
for finding good turning conditions. The
road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has been plowed and is in great shape for
all vehicles. Skate skiers will be out of luck until weekend snowmobile
traffic packs out the roads. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Areas of snow after |
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) |
25’’ |
4.5” |
23 |
4.4” snow, .4” H2O |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
40” |
8” |
n/a |
8” new |
|
N/a |
N/a |
8.3” |
southerly @ 20-30
mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) Preliminary
observations from the La Sals have shown minimal avalanche activity in the La
Sals associated with this storm. We are still in the “avalanche window”
within 48 hours from the end of the storm, and more snow is likely on the
way. The new snow from this last storm seems to have bonded with the old snow
better than expected. While this is encouraging, we are keeping the avalanche
danger rating at CONSIDERABLE today due to the extremely weak snowpack
structures out there before this storm and the wind associated with the new
snow. The winds have been high during this storm, falling into what is
considered a “critical value” for slab avalanche formation. We
are right at the lower edge of what is considered a “critical value”
for snowfall amount. The lack of natural avalanches may reflect a snowpack
that is sitting at the balance point waiting, for the weight of a skier or a
snowmachine to trigger a failure. Don’t be the trigger, and don’t
push it in the La Sals. There’s plenty of powder out there on slopes
that won’t get you into trouble. Keep the slope angles under 35 degrees
and stay out from under avalanche run out zones. Have fun, and thanks for
calling. 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 |