US
Forest Service
Manti-La Sal National
Forest
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Introduction:
Good day, this is Max Forgensi with the CHECK OUT OUR GROOMING
EQUIPMENT HERE. 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. Please give us your observations from
the field HERE. The more observations we get, the
better this forecast can be. |
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General Conditions: Spring is here! Even though the avalanche center is
closed for the season, spring storms continue to affect the La Sal Mountains
with snow. Conditions are
wonderful for a spring tour.
When the temperatures warm up, corn skiing conditions can be found,
and after snow storms, powder can be found on most aspects on a supportable
surface. The road up to the
Geyser Pass Trailhead is clear of snow.
Beyond this point, it is going to take at least a month to drive a vehicle
much farther up the road. A general
rule of thumb is to start the day early and end it before noon. Getting an early start will give you
a better chance to reach your objective before the sun’s rays affects the
slog out. This time of year is the best time to
get on top of the big peaks and assault the bigger lines. Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) Be
weary of thunderstorm development after noon. |
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Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS):
in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
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Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
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Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link) |
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Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here)
– The biggest concern in the
spring when it comes to avalanches is daytime warming. As the sun gets higher in the sky, it’s
radiation can not only produce a great corn product, but decrease
stability. Free water in the
upper snow pack can reduce cohesion producing roller balls and
pinwheels. If you start to see
these signs, get off those aspects.
If you are punching through to the ground, get off those aspects as
well. Check the Pre-Laurel
Weather station to make sure the temperatures dip below freezing each
night. A light freeze increases
the stability of aspects that gain solar radiation throughout the day. Work the sun as passes across the
sky. The second concern is large
precipitation (snow) events. Warmer
snow likes to bond better with old snow surfaces, which is good for
stability. If there is a large
snow event, be weary of newly deposited cornices or wind-loading on
leeward/cross-loaded sides of slopes and ridges. North faces could still have some lingering deep slab
instabilities. The passing of
each day will increase these aspects stability. |