Lawinenlagebericht

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 8 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid and upper elevation steep slopes that face NW-N-E, and human triggered avalanches breaking down into buried, persistent weak layers are still possible in these areas. Steep, rocky terrain that has a weak shallow snowpack is the most suspect. On upper elevation slopes facing primarily N-E-SE there is a MODERATE danger for triggering a stiff slab of wind drifted snow. Avoid slopes with a smooth, rounded appearance or that sound hollow like a drum. Most other terrain has generally LOW danger.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    3

    Time and warm temperatures have helped to stabilize the snowpack, but persistent weak layers of loose, sugary, faceted snow remain. A melt freeze crust of varying strength and thickness exists on top of the October snow, and loose facets have developed above it and below. In areas where the snowpack is shallow, faceted snow beneath the crust exists all the way to the ground. In areas where the snowpack is more than about 3' deep, these weak layers are gaining strength. Spatial variability, or the variability in snow cover, is a key element right now. All you need to do is find the right trigger point in a rocky, shallow area, or above a hidden bush, and you could still trigger a dangerous avalanche 2'-4' deep.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2

    Strong westerly winds today will build new stiff slabs of wind drifted snow on top of old in the upper elevations, primarily on slopes with an easterly component. A triggered wind slab has the potential to break down into buried, persistent weak layers causing a deep and dangerous avalanche. Avoid steep slopes and areas such as cross-loaded gullies that have a smooth rounded appearance, or where the snow feels hollow underneath.

Special Announcement

Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class.

Thanks to Grand County Search and Rescue, Classic Air Medical, and instructors Scott Solle, Chris Benson, and Tim Mathews for making Saturday's winter training a success!

Recent Activity

In my travels Thursday I observed a few natural avalanches from the previous day's WNW wind event. Initiating from wind drifted snow, they appeared to have broken down into old weak layers with fractures 2'-3' deep, and up to 50' wide. These all occurred on E-NE facing slopes in the highest elevations.

Snow and Weather

The biggest news is the wind blowing out of the WNW in the 25-35 mph range along ridgetops. Today we could see gusts to 50 mph. High temps today will be in the low 20's.

Wind and sun have severely damaged exposed snow surfaces and you'll have to work hard to find soft snow in sheltered locations. Low snow conditions still prevail, and they are getting lower. Be wary of rocks and deadfall lurking just beneath the surface. Base depth in Gold Basin is 30".

For further information check out the most recent observations here.

Chris Benson was out flying around last week and provided us with these aerial views. Not much has changed since then and this gives us a great overall perspective on current snow cover.

A view of the North Group looking south. Chris Benson photo.

New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

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

National Weather Service point forecast.

Additional Info

Volunteers from LUNA have been out grooming regularly and there is plenty of snow for Nordic skiing. With the current overall snow conditions, and warm sunny weather, this could be the best game in town for winter mountain enthusiasts!

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