Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - January 17, 2017 - 6:56am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE and heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features. Primary areas of concern continue to be steep, wind loaded, upper elevation slopes that face NW-N-E. Evaluate slopes carefully and avoid areas that have deep deposits of wind drifted snow. Pay special attention to slopes that have steep convexities and blind break-overs - this type of terrain can lure you far down slope, well below where an avalanche is likely to fracture.




special announcement

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


A series of storm systems last week brought close to 2' of new snow to the mountains above 10,000' and excellent powder snow exists in all sheltered locations. Above tree line, winds have had their way with the snow surface. South facing slopes are scoured with thin wind crusts developing on exposed northerly aspects. Base depth in Gold Basin: 57"

For a list of recent observations go here.

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

With lots of loose snow available for transport, any increase in winds will begin to move snow around creating sensitive wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. It may also still be possible to trigger an older, deeper wind slab formed during the many wind and snow events of last week. These slabs will be stubborn, and are mostly welded into place by now, but I would still continue to suspect smooth, "fat" looking pillows, particularly those that have formed along steep convexities and blind break overs.

There's a lot of wind loaded looking terrain out there. Note the smooth rolls, and pillowy looking drifts. Continue to suspect slopes that look like this.

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 many 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 that face the north half of the compass are particularly suspect. 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

Drier conditions are on tap through mid week with a return to an active weather pattern by around Thursday.

La Sal Mountain point forecast.
general announcements

Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is snow packed and passable to vehicles with all wheel drive.

Grooming: Jason and Travis set fresh classic track and corduroy on all the trails on Monday, and finished up in just in time to see a great sunset! Thanks guys!


If you are getting out into the mountains, we love to hear from you! You can SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS ONLINE

If you would like to have avalanche advisories emailed to you, SIGN UP HERE

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

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.