Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - March 14, 2017 - 7:30am
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The avalanche danger is generally LOW and mostly stable snow conditions exist. But low danger doesn't mean no danger and we still have a few things to consider.

With daytime heating, the potential exists for loose, wet avalanches on steep, sun exposed slopes. If you feel the snow getting wet and sloppy, or if you notice signs of instability such as roller balls or pinwheels, get off of, and out from under steep slopes.

it may still be possible to trigger an isolated persistent slab avalanche in areas of more extreme, upper elevation, northerly facing terrain. Carefully evaluate individual slopes for smooth hard slabs, and weak, underlying snow if you venture into this type of terrain.




special announcement

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Returns to Moab, tonight and tomorrow! Featuring the year’s best films on mountain sport, culture and adventure, this will be the 14th season the festival has come to Moab. Proceeds support the Utah Avalanche Center - Moab and Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation. For more info and to purchase tickets, go here.

current conditions

It's spring time in the desert and this is the tale of the incredible shrinking snowpack. Warm temperatures are taking a toll, and south and westerly facing slopes that just a week ago were plastered white, are now showing patches of rock and bare ground. Overnight freezes are making for decent corn conditons on slopes that face SE-S-W, while north facing aspects are an uninviting mix of wind crusts and hard surfaces.

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
weather

More of the same....


general announcements


Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is mostly down to the dirt and relatively dry to the Trans La Sal Trailhead. Above that it is muddy with occasional patches of snow. The last few hundred yards to the parking lot are pretty sloppy by mid-day.

Grooming: Trails are groomed into Gold Basin.

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Do you buy groceries at City Market? When you register your Kroger rewards card with their Community Rewards program, they will donate to the Utah Avalanche Center whenever you make a purchase. It's easy, only takes a minute, and doesn't cost you anything. Details 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!

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.