Introduction: Good Morning, this is Dave Medara
with the WE ARE STARTING TO FILL UP OUR AIARE LEVEL 2 CLASS
BEING HELD IN THE LA SALS THIS YEAR. THE CLASS WILL RUN FROM 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:
Not much new to report in the La Sal mountains at this time. Returning
to our old standby line, at least we live in Moab and not a ski area and have
alternatives to the depression caused by living in a ski town with no snow.
Biking, climbing and hiking have been glorious this winter season and on a
larger scale, water flows for the Colorado Basin are predicted to be good
with an above normal snowpack just about anywhere you go north of here. That
being said, we could really use some snow around here. We are down to 77
percent of normal snowfall for the season, and I think the elevations above
treeline are even thinner than that. The snowpack is variable and thin with
an assortment of sun and wind crusts almost everywhere above treeline. There
is still some settled powder to be found in North facing sheltered areas
below treeline, but the coverage is still thin and rotten underneath. We’ll
need more snow to have a good spring season on the high peaks at this rate.
Hopefully we’ll pick more snow than the predicted 1-3” Wed. Night. Skate
skiing conditions are excellent to Geyser Pass at the moment. The road is
clear but icy. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Partly cloudy, with a high around 39. Breezy, with a southwest wind
between 15 and 25 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) |
25’’ |
0 |
30 |
Need snow |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
35” |
0 |
n/a |
Need snow |
|
N/a |
N/a |
18 |
Southerly @
20-30 mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) Not much to report from avalanche land
today either folks. We have a very weak and variable snowpack out there that
does not currently have the stress on any new snow on it. The winds have been
strong and have moved a lot of snow around at the upper elevations. There are
a few pockets of stiff wind slab bridging over weaker mid-pack and ground
level faceted crystals. What this means is that while not very widespread,
the danger of triggering a wind slab into older snow, perhaps to the ground,
still exists. Lingering instabilities resulting in avalanches with control
work in the San Juans confirm this notion. We are calling the avalanche
danger in the La Sals MODERATE at this time. Keep an eye out for, and steer clear of bulging, hollow
sounding drifts of new snow, especially above tree line. If in doubt, stay on
ridgelines and keep the slope angle under 30 degrees. 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 snow pit from our
tour on |