US
Forest Service
Manti-La Sal National
Forest
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Introduction: Good morning, 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: That pesky ridge of
high pressure is starting to break down today and snow is on its way! This much anticipated storm looks
like it has a good chance of hitting us Tuesday and Wednesday…start washing
your cars, burning skis, whatever to get some desperately needed
precipitation to the La Sal Mountains.
Nordic and Skate skiing conditions will be fast today up to Geyser
Pass. 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’) Today: Partly cloudy, with a high around 45. South southwest wind between 10
and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 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 |
|
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’):
(SNOTEL link) |
25” |
0 |
~ |
Three days of warm temperatures have created sun crusts |
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Geyser Pass |
N/a |
n/a |
N/a |
|
|
|
39” |
0 |
n/a |
|
|
N/a |
N/a |
23 degrees at 8:00 |
Winds @ 20,
gusting to 28 from SSW |
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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. There are stiff wind slabs over extremely weak snowpack
structures in some isolated areas above treeline. 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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