SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT |
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Happy Holidays from Dave and Max at the La Sal Avalanche Center! |
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BOTTOM LINE
Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)
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CURRENT CONDITIONS |
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Good skiing conditions are being reported in the La Sals and first hand experience in the Abajos revealed the same. We measured 6" from this last storm at the Gold Basin Study Plot. We now have 29.5 inches of snow on the ground there. The snow is "punchy" in places but reports are that it is skiing well. Very cold this morning! Zero degreees F on Pre-Laurel Peak, 7.5 at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 9 degrees at my house in Moab. Bundle up!
The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has NOT been plowed but is apparently in good shape. 4wd or Chains recommended. We were able to drive to the base of the old Blue Mountain Ski Area Wednesday (4WD) or you can park on the Blue Mtn. Loop Road and hike in the mile or so to the base of the runs. Skiing right back to the car definitely makes this the best access for backcountry skiing in SE Utah.
LUNA Groomers were up yesterday and groomed the entire track. Just in time for Christmas. Good work Matt, Jess and Sarah. |
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RECENT ACTIVITY |
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Check out more info on avalanche classification here.
Cracking and collapsing were still being noted in the La Sals and the Abajos. We had no visibility for any avalanche observations Wednesday and no reports of activity yet. |
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THREAT #1 |
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PROBABILITY |
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TREND |
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Over the next
48 hours.
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Click here to see the newly revised North American Avalanche Danger Scale.
Keeping the Avalanche Danger rating at CONSIDERABLE above treeline where consistent winds in the bull's eye slab building range (15-30 mph) have been at work. We still have a very weak underlying snowpack composed of facted grains and depth hoar below this latest snow and the potential for sizable wind slabs to pull out is very real. Keep the slope angles below 30 degrees above treeline and in open areas below treeline affected by winds. |
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MOUNTAIN WEATHER |
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National Weather Service Forecast for 10,000 Ft. : COLD!
Christmas Day: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -15. North northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -5. Wind chill values as low as -15. North northeast wind between 5 and 15 mph. Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -10. North northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -4. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 21. North wind around 5 mph.
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS |
As the season gets underway, we would like to thank the hard working volunteers at the Friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. Without their help the center would not meet it's funding or staffing requirements. Thanks all! If you would like more information about donating to the Friends or simply helping out, click here.
Local Avalanche Education:
Basic Avalanche Awareness Class - Grand County Library, January 12th - 5:30 - 8:00 PM.
LSAC Level One Avalanche Class - 3 days, January 29 - 31 - Call 435-636-3363 to reserve a spot or get more info.
This advisory will expire in 48 hours! |
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. |
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This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:
The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list. |
