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 |
General Conditions: A disappointing showing from
the last storm, with only one inch of new snow being recorded with big winds.
Snow conditions in the La Sals have now been swirled around into a crazy mix
of supportable and unsupportable sun crusts, wind crusts, wind slabs, sastrugi, settled powder and rocks. Amazingly enough,
some decent powder conditions are still being reported on sheltered shady
slopes below treeline. Skate skiing has suffered from some drifting up high
on the Geyser Pass trail but conditions are pretty good and some snowmobile
traffic today will help out with the drifts. The road to the Geyser pass
Trailhead is in good shape almost all the way to the parking lots but without
chains or 4wd you may have a hard time with a drift on the road at the last
switchback. Next chance for snow this weekend so read on. It looks like
something may finally come in on a favorable southerly flow. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high around
35. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 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) |
25.5’’ |
0 |
23 |
2 cm new, Need more snow |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
35” |
0 |
n/a |
3 cm new, Need snow |
N/a |
N/a |
7.3 |
Southerly @ 30-40
mph, gust to 63mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) As suspected, the winds kicked up the
avalanche hazard with several natural avalanches being observed yesterday at treeline
and above. Medium to large size slab avalanches on Noriega’s Face, 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 |