Introduction: Good
Morning, this is Dave Medara with the OUR LEVEL I AVALANCHE CLASS BEGINDS TONIGHT AT THE 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: Another 3-4 inches of dense, wet
snow has fallen in the La Sals over the last 24 hours and capping the
mountains with a layer of “upside down” snow. This means that the
snow on top is heavier than the snow below which makes for ca=challenging conditions
for skiing and traveling in the Mountains. We are at least building a decent
snowpack out there with promise for a good spring season. Our current snow
level brings us up to 89 percent of normal so compared to the Abajos to our
south, which currently stand at 31 percent, we should consider ourselves
lucky. The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead
is currently unplowed but passable by a 4wd vehicle. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Partly
cloudy, with a high around 31. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph, with
gusts as high as 30 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) |
31 |
3” |
12 |
3”snow, .4” h20 |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
45” |
4” (est.) |
n/a |
4” |
|
N/a |
N/a |
6 |
Northwesterly @
20-30 mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) While there has not been a lot of new
snow in the mountains, the weak snowpack structures that exist in the La Sals
are not going away soon. The High density of the new snow has created an inverted
snowpack situation with dense snow over lower density, older snow. This generally
leads to slab avalanche formation, especially if the precipitation is
accompanied by wind, which is exactly what has happened. For this reason, until
further observations can be made, we are taking a conservative line this
morning and calling the avalanche danger CONSIDERABLE,
with pockets of HIGH danger at and
above treeline elevations. What this means is that human triggered avalanches
are highly likely, so tread lightly. Have fun out there, and thanks for
checking in. 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 |