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 over the last couple of days will help out with the drifts.
The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is in good shape, passable by all
vehicles but slippery in places. We’ve had to pull more than one vehicle out
of the snow banks that slipped off the icy surface under the newest snow.
More new snow on the way for tonight may change that situation so use your
best judgment if you are up there after the snow starts. Hopefully, this new
snow in the forecast will materialize. It looks like we might actually get
something on a favorable southerly flow for once. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Today: Areas of snow. Areas of blowing
snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a south southwest wind
between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation
is 50%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible. |
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 |
18.5 |
2 cm new, Need more snow |
Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
Gold Basin and South Mountain |
32” |
0 |
n/a |
3 cm new, Need snow |
N/a |
N/a |
5.5 |
Southerly @ 20-30
mph |
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 Thursday at treelike
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 |