Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - April 1, 2018 - 7:19am
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Most terrain in the La Sals offers LOW danger but with daytime heating small, loose wet avalanches will become easy to trigger as the day progresses. Be alert to signs of instability such as sloppy wet snow, roller balls, pin wheels or even loose sloughs coming down the mountain. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

A few areas of isolated or MODERATE danger still exist on steep slopes right around treeline and above that face NW-N-E where it remains possible to trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche 2'- 4' deep, particularly in areas of rocky and more radical terrain. Choose slopes wisely and avoid steep convexities and blind break-overs. Very steep, sparsely wooded terrain right around tree line remains suspect as well.




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current conditions

Last night was our first night without a solid re-freeze and 10,000' temps are in the mid 30's this morning. Northwesterly winds are moslty light, and it's going to be a warm, sunny, spring day in the mountains. Mixed bag spring conditions are in full effect, and soft dry snow is very hard to come by. Nevertheless, travel is fast and easy, and the views are glorious. Reed Kennard, Ed Grote and Nate Ament were out about yesterday and sent in this report.

New snow totals in Gold Basin.

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

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

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

Though isolated, there still remains a persistent slab problem, and human triggered avalanches 2'-4' deep are possible on steep slopes, right around tree line and above that face NW-N-E. It really is a tale of two snow packs - while many open bowls and upper elevation starting zones have deeper snow and a strong over-riding slab, weak, re-active snow still exists in many areas. Brian Spark's snowpit shows what areas with stronger snow look like, while the short clip below illustrates areas of weaker, more reactive snow.

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

Without a solid refreeze, and with daytime temps soaring into the 40's, we might see some small, loose wet avalanchees today. Be alert to signs of instability such as sloppy wet snow, roller balls, pin wheels or even loose sloughs coming down the mountain. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

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.