US
Forest Service
Manti-La Sal National
Forest
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Introduction: Good evening, this is Max
Forgensi with the WE HAVE 2 SPOTS LEFT IN 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 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
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General Conditions: The persistent ridge
of high pressure will keep us under a dry atmosphere through Monday night when
the next batch of Pacific moisture starts to enter the Great Basin. On Friday temperatures rose above
freezing for over 6 hours at the Geyser Pass Trailhead while up at the
Pre-Laurel Weather Station temperatures stayed below freezing. Backcountry skiing conditions will be variable…sun
crusts on South-West aspects, consolidated/rotten powder in wind sheltered
North aspects below treeline and a variety of wind slabs above treeline. The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead
is in great shape. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind between
10 and 15 mph. |
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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 |
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Geyser Pass
Trailhead (9,600’): (SNOTEL
link) |
25” |
0 |
~ |
Warm temperatures on Friday has created sun crusts |
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Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
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39” |
0 |
n/a |
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N/a |
N/a |
1 |
Winds light out
of the West |
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Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) The warming temperatures will definitely
be stabilizing the lower elevations snowpack (hopefully not too much, we
might not have any left). Above
treeline, the high temperatures are in the mid-twenties and we still have a
shallow, winter, continental snowpack.
The small dose of new snow has not created a new load in the alpine,
but there are some areas where there are stiff wind slabs over extremely weak
snowpack structures. I feel it would still be possible to trigger an
avalanche in localized areas above treeline as a result of last week’s wind
event. This hazard will not be super widespread, and difficult to locate,
just keep in mind that there are some booby traps out there on the high
peaks. Steer clear of areas with a shallow rotten base and stiffer, cohesive,
bridging slabs at the snow surface. Saturday’s BOTTOM
LINE is an avalanche danger rating of MODERATE in these areas
above treeline, meaning that human triggered avalanches
remain a possibility. Never trust a rotten, faceted snowpack like we have
here in the La Sals. If we don’t get some more snow, this situation will be
with us into spring and we may never see a truly green light snowpack with
low hazard. 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 01/15/06 here.
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