Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 7, 2014 - 6:48am
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow, particularly at upper elevations on slopes with a N-NE-E aspect. Considerable danger means that natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. Back country travelers will need to practice very safe travel techniques, staying off of, and out from under steep terrain. With the additional load of new snow, buried, persistent slabs remain a very clear and present danger. Avoid steep terrain facing the north half of the compass. Below tree line, there is a MODERATE avalanche danger and heightened avalanche awareness should be maintained.
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

It looks like we've picked up another 2"-3" of snow overnight at the Gold Basin study plot. For those who haven't followed the advisory this week, the mountains received 15"-20" of light density snow on Monday and Tuesday. Reports of deep powder conditions have been coming in all week. Ridge top winds overnight have averaged 10 mph from the WSW with gusts as high as 25 mp​h, and it is currently 16 degrees at 10,000'. We now have 55" on the ground in Gold Basin, and 36" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Winds and temperature on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,705')

Temperature and new snow totals in Gold Basin (10,050')

Total snow depth and temperature near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9850')

Abajo Mountains

No new snow has fallen in the the Abajos since Tuesday, where storm totals were about 6" of light density snow. Conditions are improving, but we definitely need some more! Winds on Abajo Peak overnight averaged 10 mph from the WSW with occasional gusts to 25 mph.It is currently 11 degrees up there.

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak (11,330')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8968')
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Though winds have not been howling, they continue to blow just enough to move around the readily available, light density snow. Be alert to fresh deposits of wind drifted snow, especially above tree line. With 15"-20" of new snow on the ground, these new wind slabs could be well over two feet deep. Also, the danger exists, once one of these new wind slabs are triggered, to step down into deeper, weaker snow, causing a much more dangerous avalanche.
Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The underlying snow pack being asked to bare an additional load of new snow is very weak. In spite of significant snow totals however, actual water weight is very little. This makes for a touchy situation out there. Not quite enough of a load has accumulated to trigger a widespread natural avalanche cycle, but a back country traveler will have a considerable likelihood of triggering one of these avalanches themselves. The weight of a skier or snowmobile could be just enough to tip the balance. A slide triggered into one of these buried, weak layers, would be large and dangerous. Slopes steeper than 35 degrees with a NW-N-E should be avoided.

weather

.A powerful winter storm system tracking to our north, will give us a little shot at snow today. A couple inches are possible. Look for high temperatures to be in the low 20's today light WSW winds. We will remain under an unsettled weather pattern for the next several days.

general announcements

OBSERVATIONS: If you are out and about in the mountains, I'd love to know what you are seeing so please SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS  You can read current OBSERVATIONS HERE.

LUNA GROOMING INFORMATION: Groomers have been working to pack in the new snow this week and they will be out again today. 

Moab Cliffs and Canyons is sponsoring a free, ski demo and clinic on Sunday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead. Contact Brett at Moab Cliffs and Canyons 435-259-9786 for more information.

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road is plowed and clear.

UAC MOBILE APP: Get your advisory on your iphone with this app