Moab

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on above treeline slopes that face NW-N-NE-E where humans are LIKELY to trigger deep and dangerous avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer (PWL).

These large avalanches failing on the PWL are POSSIBLE near treeline and below on Northerly aspects and on slopes that face W and SE where there is a MODERATE danger.

Slopes that face S and SW offer LOW avalanche danger.

Want some more insight into the La Sal Mountains as well as the communal impacts of a tragic avalanche? Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Eric Trenbeath where he discusses the range, it's often treacherous snowpack, and how the devastating avalanche in February, 1992, affected the Moab community.

Our avalanche beacon checker sign and beacon training park are up and running. A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts for sponsoring those this season!

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Monday, February 12 marked the 31st anniversary of the tragic Talking Mountain Cirque avalanche accident where six backcountry skiers were buried, and four, including the La Sal avalanche forecaster, were killed. The town of Moab was devastated, and the impacts are still felt today. It is worth your time to Read the report here.

Road Conditions: The Geyser Pass Road is plowed.

Grooming: Trails are groomed with classic track.

Since February 2, there have been 16 avalanches that we know about. Most of these broke deep on the November or December facet layers. We continue to update the La Sal Avalanche Database and you can See the full list here. Below is a heat map showing recent avalanches from 2/2 - 2/7.

During my travels yesterday, I ran across this natural avalanche that failed on a steep NW facing slope in the middle of the Funnel and ran all the way to the bottom of the drainage.

On Sunday, February 11, a backcountry skier was caught and killed in an avalanche in the Anthracite Range, near the town of Crested Butte. The avalanche was triggered on a very steep north-facing slope at 11,200 feet. Our deepest condolences to the deceased skier's family, friends, and community. You can read the preliminary accident report here. The Anthracite Range has a very similar snowpack as the La Sals, with PWL as the main problem type.

6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 131" Depth at Gold Basin 53"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NW 3-6 Temp 11° Percent of Normal: 107%

Weather

Another beautiful sunny day is in store for the La Sals. We will see clear skies, plenty of sunshine, and high temperatures in the mid-twenties. Winds will remain light, and blow out of the SW at 5-15 mph. Tomorrow looks to be more of the same. On Thursday partial cloud cover moves in with breezy conditions. The next chance for snow looks to be early next week.

General Conditions

Expect to find shallow, soft, settled powder conditions combined with picture-perfect weather. Close to three feet of snow has fallen since February 1, and overall coverage is excellent. Yesterday, I toured up to Red Snow Cirque and found great skiing on low-angle North facing terrain. Each day we continue to find avalanches that ran during the two rounds of natural activity on 2/2 and 2/7. Numerous avalanches from 3'-6' deep have been observed, primarily on NW-N-NE-E aspects above treeline, but activity has also been observed near treeline and below, and on West aspects. Buried persistent weak layers of facets remain the number one avalanche concern. The likelihood of triggering a deep and dangerous avalanche is slowly decreasing but we still need to give things a little more time to adjust, especially on steep, northerly aspects.

Snowpack and Weather Data

Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')

Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')

Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')

NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.

This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.