Uintas Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Craig Gordon

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Thank you… thank you… thank you. Thanks to everyone who was involved with or helped support this program. In particular- huge thanks to Ted Scroggin from the Evanston Ranger District for all his timely and accurate snow and avalanche observations and for helping to educate countless riders and skiers alike. He is an enormous asset to the community and I couldn’t pull this off without his help. Also, the Utah Avalanche Center wants to recognize the incredible support from both the Evanston and Kamas/Heber Ranger Districts. We appreciate all Steve Ryberg, Rick Schuler, John Campbell and Josh Jurgensen do for us and look forward to next season as we continue strengthening our partnership. Furthermore, thanks to my good colleagues at the Avalanche Center. In particular, thanks to Grant Helgeson for all his hard work with our Avy Essentials class, the Uinta County S&R field day and of course, all the positive energy he brings to the table.

In addition, big thanks to Fred Hayes and all the staff at Utah State Parks for being such awesome partners, helping to fund this and other snowmobile specific avalanche advisory programs, ultimately saving many lives. The support from our good friends at Tri-City Performance and Weller’s Recreation in partnership with Polaris and Ski-Doo is simply amazing. Their sleds enable us to get into more terrain, see more snow and ultimately issue more precise forecasts. Also, thanks to everyone from the Park City Powder Cats. The strong working partnership and information sharing conduit forged this year should be a model for all organizations in this business… thanks guys and gals!

Finally, thanks to all of you who consistently help this program, in particular the Utah Snowmobile Association, The Rocky Mountain Sledders, The Edge Motorsports, Dan Gardiner and the Boondockers crew along with the Thunderstruck posse. Whether attending or organizing fundraisers, lending a hand installing beacon training sites or sharing your avalanche insights and experience, I’m grateful for all the support… y’all rock!


RECENT ACTIVITY

No new significant avalanche activity to report.

Click here for a list of recent avalanche activity in the Uinta's.

For more photos of recent avalanche activity click here


THREAT #1

No problem identified.
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
No probability identified.
No size identified.
No trend identified.

Well, this is the end of the line for the 08-09 western Uinta forecast season. No I’m not going to Disneyland; I’m going on a Wasatch ski holiday instead. But in the absence of my avalanche advisory here are a few pointers to help you make your own snowpack and avalanche danger evaluations.

In general you can count on several types of avalanche conditions in the spring. Whenever we get a storm the avalanche danger will rise, as the new snow might not bond well to the existing hard, slick crust it falls on. As always, recent avalanche activity as well as cracking and collapsing of the snowpack are dead giveaways the snow is unstable. Even if these clues don’t present themselves, be sure to do some tests on smaller slopes that are similar in aspect, elevation and slope angle to what you want to ride on. Choose test slopes that have minimal consequences, especially after a significant snowfall. A well placed slope cut will give you a good feel for the stability of the slope. If there is much wind associated with the storm or if there is snow available for transport before it gets cooked into place, expect to find potentially unstable wind slabs on leeward slopes.

Also, when the sun first comes out and the snow goes through its initial rapid warm up, avalanches will be likely on steep slopes. You can expect the usual round of wet slides, but fortunately new snow instabilities tend to stabilize rather quickly in the spring due to the warm temperatures. When the snowpack goes several nights without a good solid refreeze, deep wet slab avalanches are possible, especially in steep, rocky terrain. Given this year’s unusual Thanksgiving rain crust, I’d expect to see large avalanches breaking to the ground. These will be tree snapping, bone shattering, sled crushing avalanches… you get the picture. During the heat of the day you’ll want to get off of and out from underneath steep slopes and avoid terrain traps such as gullies or steep road cuts where cement-like debris will pile up very deeply.

Talking with other folks around the range, we’re amazed at how big cornices have grown, especially during the April storm cycle. As a matter of fact, they’re epically huge and may break back much further than you’d think. I’d continue to give these unpredictable pieces of snow the respect they deserve and avoid messing around with them, especially when the strong springtime sun is beating down on them and they’re feeling like an ant under a magnifying glass.

The blockbuster spring produced larger- than- life coverage, so get out and get after it, but continue to be diligent with your safe riding techniques. When you’re in avalanche terrain have only one person on the slope at a time and always carry a beacon, shovel and probe.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Uinta specific weather forecasts can be found here.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

I’m still interested in any avalanche activity, particularly if you trigger a slide or see some natural activity. Please fill me in by email craig@utahavalanchecenter.org or call 801-231-2170. It’s not too early to book a free snowmobile specific avalanche awareness class for next year. Give me a call or drop me an email and I’d be happy to tailor a talk for your group.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Have a safe spring and summer. I’ll update this advisory next fall when the snow starts flying again.

This advisory is also available during the winter season by dialing 800-648-7433 or 888-999-4019.


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.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.