Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - March 7, 2014 - 6:55am
bottom line

The overall avalanche danger is MODERATE at this time. This danger applies to sluffing within the new snow should we get the few inches that are called for, as well as the possibility of triggering a wind slab at upper elevations on wind drifted slopes that face the north half of the compass.

There also remains a MODERATE danger of triggering a deep, buried, persistent slab on mid to upper elevation slopes, steeper than 35 degrees face NW-E-SE.

At lower elevations the avalanche danger is generally LOW.
special avalanche bulletin

  
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

The mountains picked up about an inch of snow in the early hours this morning. Overnight winds averaged in the 20's from the WSW, with gusts to 40 mph. They have backed off this morning into the single digits. Settled, creamy, conditions can be found in sheltered areas at upper elevations. It is currently 28 degrees at Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (GPWT), and 24 degrees at 10,000'. There is 50" of snow on the ground in Gold Basin, and 30" at GPWT.

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

Winds on Abajo Peak have averaged in the teens overnight from the WSW, and the temperature at Buckboard Flat is 30 degrees. Snow last weekend improved conditions a bit but we are playing a difficult game of catch up this late in the season.

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8968')
recent activity

This is old news in avalanche world, but I got up yesterday to look at the Coyote Chute slide that was reported last Sunday. It turned out to be significantly larger than reported, as it wrapped around the ridge and out of sight. I estimate it to be about 800' wide with a maximum crown depth of 8'. It was caused by wind loading that finally over stressed buried weak layers underneath. this was an old snow avalanche, bringing home everything we say about buried persistent slabs, and the possibility of them being triggered by an over riding wind slab.

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

2"-4" of new snow are possible today, and generally speaking, this won't increase the danger much. But you may see some new snow sluffing on steep slopes, and the new snow may conceal wind slabs formed yesterday.
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 isn't a lot of snow available for transport out there, but moderate to strong, SW winds yesterday may have managed to build a few wind slabs along upper elevation, northerly ridge crests, or on the lee sides of terrain features.

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

The snow pack has had time to adjust to the most recent load. Nevertheless, there is plenty of weak snow under there. In the right place, the added weight of a skier or rider, could be just enough to tip the balance causing a deep and dangerous avalanche. Areas of weakest snow can be found in steep, rocky, or slightly wooded terrain, facing the north half of the compass, at upper mid to upper elevations. I would still exercise restraint in these areas.

weather

Today we may see a few inches of snow in the mountains, with cloudy skies, and a high temperature of around 34 degrees at 10,000'. Northerly ridge top winds will be on the increase today averaging 15-20 mph.
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 recently groomed.

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road has been plowed.

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