Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Thursday - January 23, 2014 - 7:17am
bottom line

The majority of the terrain in the backcountry has a LOW avalanche danger and conditions are generally safe. There is a scattered or 'pockety' MODERATE avalanche danger in the higher elevations on slopes approaching 40 degrees or steeper. Watch for fresh wind slabs on west facing slopes as well as crossloading on all aspects.




special announcement
  • Just a few remaining slots open for our Snowbasin FreeRide Avalanche Workshop taking place Jan 26-28. We have a star-studded line up of pro athletes and avalanche experts on tap for this sweet event. Don't miss it - for more details click on the link at the top of the page. Uphill gear not required.
  • Dawn Patrol Hotline - remember we record an early avalanche information hotline usually by 5:15 each morning - 888-999-4019, option 8.
  • Snowbird's Rescue Training Center Avalanche Beacon Park is now up and running. It's free and located just off the LCC/Superior bypass road just below the Wasatch Powderbird Guides Office/Helipad.

FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS NEEDED! We are trying to learn more about sidecountry riding and need your help. If you are between 17 – 30 years old, sometimes use lifts to get into the backcountry, and have little or no formal avalanche training, we want you to be a part of a focus group in SLC Feb 4. This will help us learn how to make avalanche education more relevant to you and those you ride with. We'll have FREE SKULLCANDY GEAR and pizza for all who join us for 2 hours. Hit us up if you think you fit the bill, [email protected]. PLEASE SHARE THIS with people you think might fit that description.

current conditions

In the central and southern Wasatch, winds have shifted around to the east and have moderate speeds along the upper ridges right now. However, winds around Mt Ogden are still generally from the west. Temperatures are fairly mild around 30 at the lower elevations and 20 along the peaks. It's mostly clear up in the hills.

The snow surface is a total mixed bag with almost every condition you can imagine except powder. Loose faceted snow is around in more shady sheltered aspects. This does provide pleasurable turning.

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

It's hard to say if we'll actually see any wind slab formation but increasing east winds during the day today should be noted. This wind direction is not as common and can load slopes and starting zones we aren't used to seeing get loaded. It does take people off guard occasionally.

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

It is fairly unlikely that a person will trigger and avalanche that breaks into buried weak faceted snow unless you are getting into radical, very steep terrain. This avalanche problem may be slightly enhanced by any wind drifting that occurs from the east winds today.

weather

East winds should increase in speed a bit today with gusts in the 40s along the more exposed locations. We'll have mostly clear skies as the day goes on with slightly cooler temperatures than we've seen over the last few days with ridgetop highs in the low to mid 20s. We will quickly return to the dry northerly flow with clear skies and warming temperatures into the weekend. We are hopeful for some low pressure systems to effect our area in early February as the GFS weather model suggests.

general announcements

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 exist.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

EMAIL ADVISORY We have switched to a new SLC email advisory system. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email, or if you have been getting the advisory by email since the beginning of the season and wish to continue, you will need to subscribe here.​  

DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

Twitter Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

UDOT canyon closures:  LINK TO UDOT

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.uned.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day.  

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

Discount lift tickets are now available at Backcountry.com - Thanks to Ski Utah and the Utah Resorts.  All proceeds go towards paying for Utah Avalanche Center avalanche and mountain weather advisories.

To those skinning uphill at resorts:  it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel.  Some allow uphill travel and have guidelines, some don't. Contact the Ski Patrol at each resort for details. IMPORTANT: Before skinning at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol.  Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

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!

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.

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.