Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - March 13, 2018 - 6:43am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW but low danger doesn't mean no danger. It may still be possible to trigger an old hard wind slab, or persistent slab avalanche up to 3' deep on a buried weak layer of sugary, faceted snow, and backcountry travelers need to continue to maintain a standard level of avalanche awareness. The most likely areas to trigger an avalanche are on steep, wind drifted slopes right around treeline and above that face NW-N-NE.

With a strong sun and warming temperatures, backcountry travelers also need to be alert to signs of wet snow instability such as sloppy wet snow, pinwheels, roller balls, and loose snow sluffs, and stay off of, and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

Ride slopes one at a time, and stay out from under run out zones when someone else is on the slope.
special announcement

How does an avalanche accident happen? What is it like to be caught? What can we learn? Read a first-hand account of an avalanche accident in the Meadow Chutes that happened in January.

Episode 6 of the UAC podcast "A Conversation with Tom Kimbrough" is live. We explore ideas about lifetime exposure to risk and what role Buddhism has played in his life as a climber, skier, and soon-to-be octogenarian. We talk about what has changed over the years in snow science and the role of mentorship in the world of avalanche forecasting and other professions and pursuits. 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.

INSTAGRAM! We now have a UAC-Moab Instagram page. You can find it here....but better yet follow us on your smartphone. Confused? Ask a teenager.

current conditions

Mixed bag, spring-like conditions are in effect and the snowpack remains shallow and thin. It's been over a week since the last snowfall and most surfaces are wind and sun crusted, and many south facing aspects are melted out to the ground. With the high sun and warm temperatures, dry snow can only be found only in the most sheltered and shady locations.

Base depth in Gold Basin: 35" Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 23"

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: The road is plowed and but snowpacked and icy in places. Good tires and at least front-wheel drive recommended.

Grooming conditions: Trails were last groomed on Thursday.

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

Low danger doesn't mean no danger and backcountry travelers still need to maintain a standard level of avalanche awareness.

-Continue to suspect areas of steep, rocky, or radical terrain right around treeline and above that faces NW-N-E where it still may be possible to trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep on weak, sugary, faceted snow near the ground. Shallow areas along slope margins, or near rock outcroppings create potential trigger areas.

-Avoid steep, wind drifted slopes that have a smooth rounded appearance or that have a hollow sound or feel to them.

-With daytime heating, avoid steep slopes with sloppy wet snow.

-Ride slopes one at a time and stay out from underneath run out zones when someone else is on the slope.
weather
general announcements

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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.