Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - March 17, 2017 - 6:53am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW and mostly stable snow conditions exist. With daytime heating, the danger for wet slide activity may increase to MODERATE, and backcountry travelers need to be alert to signs of instability such as roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow up around their boot tops. Follow the sun and get off of exposed aspects if any of these signs are present. Start early and end early, and as a general rule, plan to be out of avalanche terrain by around noon.




current conditions

In spite of the overall warm temperatures, the snowpack above 10,000' is well consolidated and has been re-freezing overnight. Though this may sound like a high elevation to set the standard, trailhead access in the La Sal Mountains is around 9500', and the snowline is now around 8500'. Overnight lows at 10,000' have been in the mid to upper 30's, and right around freezing at 11,000'. These temperatures, under mostly clear skies, have been adequate to produce good supportable corn snow conditions on SE-S-W aspects. Yesterday, my party found excellent corn snow on the SE face of Mount Peale, with an optimum ski time of around 11:00 a.m.

Northerly facing aspects currently leave much to be desired consisting of a mixed bag of transitional and wind affected snow. But coverage is good, and snow should hang in there late through the spring season.

I've seen very little wet avalanche activity through the warm spell of the past 10 days, and the snowpack is mostly stable. Nevertheless, it is good practice to be out of avalanche terrain by about noon under these conditions - earlier on slopes with an easterly component, and slightly later on those that face west - or if you feel the snow becoming sloppy, wet, or punchy.

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')

Still plenty of snow on the high peaks.

The SE face of Mount Peale.

recent activity
Avalanche Problem 2
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, the danger for loose, wet slide activity will increase. Be alert to signs of instability such as roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow up around their boot tops. Follow the sun and get off of exposed aspects if any of these signs are present. Start early and end early, and as a general rule, plan to be out of avalanche terrain by around noon.

weather

High pressure continues with near record breaking high temperatures through the rest of the week. Models are indicating a change in the pattern next week.


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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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.