Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - January 30, 2017 - 7:25am
bottom line

Today there is a MODERATE avalanche danger for triggering wind slabs old and new on all aspects in steep, upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. There is also an isolated MODERATE danger for triggering a deeper, persistent slab avalanche on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, at mid and upper elevations on slopes facing NW-E-SE. And finally, with daytime heating, a MODERATE danger exists for loose, wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes.




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Road Conditions: Grand County pushed through one lane up to the trailhead on Monday and the road is passable.

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

The January thaw is here and the snow surface is getting a bit tired and worn from the wind and sun. Seek out sheltered locations for the best snow conditions. Northerly alpine bowls are hit and miss. Areas of soft, settled powder alternate with varying thicknesses of wind crust. A good tip is to look for a lightly etched surface for the softest snow in these areas. Sun exposed slopes are getting cooked each day, and slopes with breakable crusts will become more widespread as the week progresses.

Base depth in Gold Basin: 72" Season total snowfall: 160" Percentage of normal: 170%

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

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

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

You may still find a few wind slabs lurking about in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Look for smooth, rounded pillows of wind deposited snow on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls, sub-ridges and rock buttresses, and avoid them in areas of steep terrain.
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

Snowpits reveal a strengthening snowpack and we are trending toward mostly stable conditions. A problematic layer of faceted snow above a crust exists about 2' below the surface on SE aspects. I expect this weakness to heel over the next several days with daytime heating but it prevents me from giving the green light for now. On northerly facing slopes I'm finding mostly strong snow, but I suspect there are a few places with lingering facets, particularly in areas of more extreme, rocky, radical terrain. If you start to push into bigger terrain, take the time to dig down about three feet to evaluate the snow stability.

Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

With daytime heating we may some loose, wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes. I don't see these packing much of a punch, but it's good to be aware of signs of instability such as roller balls, and sloppy wet snow, and good practice to stay off of steep slopes when these signs are present.

weather

High pressure and sunny skies are on tap through the week with high temperatures at 10,000' to be in the low 30's. A change may be in store by the weekend.

general announcements

Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is plowed but down to one lane in places. The Forest Service will be bringing in equipment on Tuesday to widen it, and the road will be closed all day.

Grooming: A crew of dedicated cross country skiers shoveled out the drift on the Gold Basin Road and all lower trails were groomed yesterday.


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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.