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Good morning, this Max Forgensi
with the If you have been out in the backcountry, please post your OBSERVATIONS with us! To check out past advisories, go to ARCHIVE. To check out the current weather, go to our WEATHER page. For more information on snowmobiling on the Skyline, click this LINK |
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General Conditions: The Manti-La Sal
Avalanche Center is posting a Special Avalanche Warning for this weekend for today, Saturday
February 24th through Sunday February 25th. This weekend will be very hazardous to backcountry users on the Manti-Skyline. The annual Utah State Snowmobile ride will bring more visitors to the area that will be traveling in avalanche terrain. The combination of poor snow stability & the forecasted heavy snow and strong winds for Friday/Friday night will set the forecast area up for another large avalanche cycle. Last weekends storm had numerous natural & human triggered avalanches fail, and some very close calls. The most recent report was of two young snowboarders who had a cornice fail on them at the "Fairview Lakes Viewpoint". This is the same location where two snowboarders lost their lives 6 years ago. One was completely buried with only his hand out. Tomorrow is predicted to bring the second decent storm in as
many weeks. Powder, high
visitation & clearing skies on Saturday will push people farther into the
back country and perhaps into unfamiliar terrain in search of fresh
tracks. Slopes that did not fail
during last weekends storm will be tested again, this time resulting in
larger, more dangerous avalanches.
Small seemingly benign avalanche paths could fail. With great riding conditions will
make it difficult to stay away from high-marking slopes...do not get lured
into Powder Fever! Some ways to reduce your risk in being caught in an avalanche is
to follow these Travel Protocols: 1.
Those who do not know the terrain intimately should avoid
avalanche terrain and keep to meadows and low angled terrain. 2.
Steer clear from the run-out zones of avalanche paths. High benches in alpine bowls could be
over-run by large avalanches. 3.
Do not approach cornices. Cornices are very tender during or just after a
recent storm. They take up over
24 hours to gain strength. 4.
Always travel one at a time in avalanche terrain. 5.
Always carry your beacons, probes and shovels at a minimum. Mountain Weather: Today: Partly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the morning. Probability of
measurable precipitation 20 percent. West wind 15 mph. High 24. |
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Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS):
in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
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Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
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Mammoth/Cottonwood SNOTEL (8,800’): |
42” |
8”-12” |
10 |
Powder conditions |
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20” |
Unknown |
3.7 |
Winds from WNW @ 18 gust to 26 |
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6.8 |
Poor location for wind out of this
direction |
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Miller
Flat Trailhead: |
45” |
8”-12” |
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Avalanche Conditions:
(Click here
for the International Avalanche Danger Scale) We have received both the winds and the snow
necessary for cornices and slabs to redevelop on leeward sides of slopes and
ridges. The winds have been
averaging out of the WNW-NW at 15-20 mph for 22 of the last 24 hours,
building cornices and depositing soft slabs on SE-E-NE slopes. This wind pattern is different than
what happened during last weeks storm and are going to load new areas. We still have a weak snow pack
structure, natural and human triggered avalanches today will be likely. The BOTTOM LINE for the day will be an AVALANCHE DANGER of HIGH on any steep slope greater than 35 degrees. Be careful out there. |