Advisory: Moab Area Mountains | utahavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche Advisory

Advisory: Moab Area Mountains	Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - March 9, 2015 - 6:34am

bottom line

The avalanche danger remains MODERATE for triggering a deep and dangerous persistent slab. This danger is most prevalent on steep rocky terrain, right around tree line and above on slopes that have a NW-N-E aspect. There is also a MODERATE danger for wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes as the day heats up.

special announcement

This advisory is based on field observations taken over the weekend of March 7-8, and weather observations from Monday, March 9. This information is to be used as a baseline, and backcountry travelers will need to form their own danger analysis based on this and current weather conditions over the next few days. A high pressure weather pattern has been established over the region, and little change is expected until later in the week. The next advisory will be updated on Thursday, March 12.

current conditions

La Sal Mountains

It was a beautiful spring like weekend in the mountains. Winds have been non existent for several days and excellent settled powder conditions can still be found on sheltered, northerly aspects at upper elevations. Sun exposed slopes have crusted over and they quickly turn to mashed potatoes as the day heats up. Don't forget your skin wax to avoid the dreaded glop build up as you transition from dry snow in the shade to wet snow in the sun.

La Sal Mountains Current Weather

Wind speeds and temperature at 11,700' on Pre-Laurel Peak.

New snow totals and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

New snow totals and temperature in Gold Basin.

Abajo / Blue Mountains

Conditions in the Abajos have improved over the past couple off weeks, but snow cover in the range is still very thin. "Spatial variability" is the key term. This means you can find snow up to four feet deep on on a sheltered, northerly aspect while a more exposed, adjacent slope will still be showing rocks and grass.

Abajo / Blue Mountains Current Weather

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak.

Snow total at Buckboard Flat.

recent activity

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 Time and warm temperatures have settled out much of the persistent slab danger and people have begun pushing into larger terrain. Nevertheless, an isolated danger for triggering a persistent slab still exists, and being able to predict exactly where and when will be a little bit like rolling the dice. One thing is for sure, once triggered, a slide of this type will be large and dangerous. I would continue to avoid more extreme terrain, particularly right around, and just above tree line on steep rocky slopes that face the north half of the compass. Check out this video on persistent slabs from Trent Meisenheimer at the UAC up in SLC.

type

aspect/elevation

characteristics

LIKELIHOOD

LIKELY

UNLIKELY

SIZE

LARGE

SMALL

TREND

INCREASING DANGER

SAME

DECREASING DANGER

over the next 24 hours

description

Time and warm temperatures have settled out much of the persistent slab danger and people have begun pushing into larger terrain. Nevertheless, an isolated danger for triggering a persistent slab still exists, and being able to predict exactly where and when will be a little bit like rolling the dice. One thing is for sure, once triggered, a slide of this type will be large and dangerous. I would continue to avoid more extreme terrain, particularly right around, and just above tree line on steep rocky slopes that face the north half of the compass. Check out this video on persistent slabs from Trent Meisenheimer at the UAC up in SLC.

Avalanche Problem 2

type	aspect/elevation	characteristics
		LIKELIHOOD LIKELY UNLIKELY SIZE LARGE SMALL TREND INCREASING DANGER SAME DECREASING DANGER over the next 10 hours
description The loose new snow of last week has been locked up by several melt-freeze periods which has made it less reactive. Nevertheless, a strong March sun will still turn sun exposed slopes into mashed potatoes so be alert to signs of unstable wet snow as the day heats up. Point releases, pinwheels, and wet sloppy snow are all signs of instability so stay off of and out from under steep slopes if these signs are present.

weather

Sunny skies will prevail through mid week with high temperatures in the mid to upper 30's. By Thursday we should see a shift in the weather as a weak front moves into the area bringing a slight chance of snow into Friday.

general announcements

Road Conditions: The road was not yet been plowed.

Observations: If you are out and about, I would love to know what you are seeing. Please post your observations here.

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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 exist.

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