Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - January 14, 2017 - 7:01am
bottom line

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind loaded slopes, in upper elevation terrain that faces N-NE-E. At mid elevations the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Low elevation terrain offers mostly LOW danger.




special announcement

Road Conditions: Grand County plowed on Friday. As of now, the road is snow packed and clear. We may see some new snow accumulation over the weekend so be prepared for that. 4wd is recommended to access Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Backcountry 101 Avalanche Class

We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche class on Feb 3, 4. This course will include a night classroom session and a day in the field. Cost is $125 with proceeds to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center Moab. For more information or to sign up go here.
current conditions

Winds have finally taken a powder and we received 4-10" of low-medium density snow from the Thursday-Friday storm, most of it falling straight out of the sky. Elevation was a key factor in snow accumulation, and your best bet for good conditions will be above 10,000' and below tree line. Pre Laurel Peak is down this morning but regionally, and at the 700mb level, winds are southeasterly at 10-15 mph. It's currently 28 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Reed Kennard was out yesterday and sent in this observation.

Base depth in Gold Basin: 57"

Storm totals and temperature in Gold Basin.(10,000')

Wind, temperature and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak.(11,700')

Snow totals, temperature and snow/water equivalent at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. (9600')
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

Wind slabs on top of wind slabs exist at upper-mid to upper elevations, but they are gaining strength and will be harder to trigger today. The danger will be most acute on upper elevation slopes that face N-NE-E, but with the intense winds of the past week, cross loading has been a factor and you may encounter wind slabs on all aspects. Suspect smooth rounded pillows and look for cracking in the snow surface. I would continue to avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

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

Buried layers of weak faceted snow, sometimes associated with a crust, can be found on most aspects at mid and upper elevations. How reactive they are varies from slope to slope, and about the only way you can be certain is to dig down and test them. Steep, upper elevation, wind loaded slopes should be avoided. In these areas it is possible that a triggered wind slab could step down into a buried weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche.

weather

A band of moisture tracking through the 4 Corners may produce snow for us later today and through tonight with 6-8" of new snow by tomorrow. Southwest winds will blow in the 10-15 mph range with gusts into the 20's. High temperatures at 10,000' will be near 30 degrees.
general announcements

Road Conditions: Grand County will be plowing this morning and the gate will be closed at 9:00 a.m.

Grooming: Trails are scheduled to be groomed this afternoon.

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.