Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 16, 2018 - 6:47am
bottom line

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes facing NW-N-E at mid and upper elevations, and human triggered avalanches 1-3' deep are likely in these areas. Incremental snow and wind loading throughout the week has kept the pressure on our fragile snowpack, and though it is exciting to finally see some snow, now is not the time to rush into avalanche terrain. Stick to lower angle slopes and avoid areas with recently deposited, wind drifted snow.




special announcement


Grand County will be evaluating the road today and it could be closed at anytime for plowing.

Episode 5 of the UAC podcast "To Hell in a Heartbeat - A Conversation With Tom Diegel and Matt Clevenger About the 12.26.08 Full Burial on Little Water" is live. Matt and Tom talk about the avalanche documented in To Hell in a Heartbeat. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog.​

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

Skies are clear, westerly winds are light, and it's 8 degrees at Geyser Pass Trailhead. On top of that, the mountains picked up 5" of new snow yesterday so today will be a gorgeous day in the mountains.

Snow has been trickling in since last Saturday, and little by little it's been adding up to a total of 17-20" at 1.5" - 2" water weight. Coverage remains thin but folks on sleds and skis are starting to venture off trail and we finally have a base. Nevertheless, rocks and deadfall still present serious, day ruining obstacles so be carfeul out there!

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 25"

Base depth in Gold Basin: 36"

New snow totals in Gold Basin.

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, (9600')

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

Road conditions to Geyser Pass Trailhead: Grand Country will be evaluating the road today and it could end up being closed for plowing at any time.

Grooming conditions: Kirsten rolled out the trails yesterday, and Bret plans to go up and lay down corduroy today.

It's finally starting to look like winter up there!
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

Incremental loading over the past week has kept the pressure on our fragile snowpack. In our travels yesterday we still experienced multiple collapses with hair raising whumphing sounds. Areas with weak, unstable snow exist on W-N-E facing slopes at mid and upper elevations, and human triggered avalanches from 1-3' deep remain likely in these areas. It's not a pretty picture and even as things begin to quiet down, steep, northerly facing terrain will want to be avoided for the forseeable future.

This photo illustrates weak layers that propagated with an extended column test on Tuesday.

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

Throughout the week in the high country, drifting snow has formed wind slabs along the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features. High winds earlier in the week formed slabs further down the slope than usual, while more recently, shallow soft slabs have formed near the crests. Avoid areas that have a smooth, rounded appearance, or that look like likely deposition zones for wind drifted snow. A triggered wind slab also has the potential to step down creating a deeper, more dangerous, persistent slab avalanche.

weather

It's going to be a beautiful day in the mountains with sunny skies, light westerly winds, and seasonable temperatures in the 20's at 10,000'. Dry conditions continue through the weekend with the next storm coming in on Mon.
general announcements

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

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

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.