Abajos

The first snow of the season has fallen in the Abajo mountains. Current snow cover ranges from 4 inches at around 9000' to upwards of a foot above 10,000'. Cory Noonan was up over the weekend and submitted this observation.

Regular advisories will begin when there is enough snow for avalanches. We'll be keeping a record of current snowfall and updating as conditions warrant. In the meantime, it’s a great opportunity to dig out your gear. Beacon, shovel, and probe remain the three essentials. Take a few minutes to put your pack together, check batteries, and get your skis, board, or machine tuned and ready to go.

Just enough snow on the road to stretch the legs. Cory Noonan photo.

NWS forecast for the Abajo Mountains.

Snow totals and temps at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals and temps at Camp Jackson (8858')

It's never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:

• Learn online. We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go website
• Check out the upcoming in-person Know Before You Go events HERE
• Sign up for an on-snow class
• Check out the UAC's education progression HERE
• Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version or getting your canister refilled if it's not electronic.

SAVE THE DATES!

Wednesday, December 3 - Don't miss our free Know Before You Go avalanche awareness talk at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E 100 N at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 6 - 18th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW). This session will be held in-person at the Wasatch Jr High School Auditorium. 3750 S 3100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Information and tickets are available here.

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.