Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - February 23, 2014 - 6:59am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally MODERATE or Level 2. Back country travelers need to maintain a heightened level of awareness, being alert to the possibility of triggering a newly formed wind slab or buried persistent slab. Pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger still exist where you can trigger a buried persistent slab, primarily on steep, upper elevation slopes that face the north half of the compass. With daytime heating, there will also be a MODERATE danger for wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes.
special avalanche bulletin

    
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

A mixed bag of surface conditions exist. Everything from wind damaged snow, to sun crusts, to settled, dense, dry snow can be found. Best bet is sheltered, mid to upper elevation, shady aspects. Moderate westerly winds overnight have shifted from WNW to WSW this morning and are averaging about 20 mph along ridge tops. It is 26 degrees 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

A mixed bag of surfaces and low snow conditions prevail. The snow pack depth averages between 18" and 36", but some sun and wind exposed slopes are showing bare ground. Westerly winds are a little stronger on Abajo Peak, averaging 15-20 mph and still gusting to 30. It is 27 degrees at 9000' .​

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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

Changing wind directions of the past week have scattered isolated wind slabs around. These can be found on the lee sides of terrain features and in areas where cross loading has been a factor. Most are stiff, stubborn to release, and may even be difficult to recognize. They may appear as wind damaged snow, existing on the lee side of subtle terrain features, surrounded by wind scoured terrain. Be alert to hollow sounding snow, and mind the consequences.

Photo illustrates stiff wind slab deposition in gullies from cross loading.
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

There hasn't been any new avalanche activity for nearly two weeks, and the snow pack seems to have largely adjusted to the weight of snow received early this month. Generally speaking, we are moving into a low probability high consequence scenario. This means that the danger of triggering a persistent slab still exists though they will be hard to trigger. Nevertheless, one triggered would be large and dangerous. Take into account the consequences of triggering a deep avalanche and choose your terrain wisely.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

With sunny skies and warmer temperatures over the next several days, we will likely see loose, wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.

weather

Today looks to be mostly sunny with high temperatures at 10,000' again climbing up into the mid 30's. The same goes for Monday and Tuesday. Clouds shold beging to develop by mid week with a possibility for snow on Thursday, and again by Saturday.

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: Trails have not been groomed since last weekend due to snowmobile repairs. They are up and running again, and LUNA is looking for folks to sign up for grooming.

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road is passable.

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