Moab

The avalanche danger is generally LOW and mostly stable snow conditions exist. That said, it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas with very steep, rocky, extreme terrain, primarily on slopes with a NW-E-SE aspect. Even a small avalanche triggered in the wrong terrain can have devastating consequences. Practice safe travel techniques and keep an eye toward subtle terrain features that may harbor lingering instabilities.

My radio interview on KZMU about the history of backcountry skiing in the La Sals, avalanche accidents, and unique snowpack has been saved in perpetuity. You can listen to it here.

Check out the avalanche beacon training park at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and practice your rescue skills!

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

A huge shout out to all who attended our Backcountry 101 course this weekend. It's great to see people engaged and working to further their education. And thanks again to Moab Gear Trader for their generous sponsorship of this course!

Road Conditions: The road is plowed but snow-packed and icy in places.

Grooming report: LUNA (Lower Utah Nordic Alliance) groomed the lower meadow and into Gold Basin on Wednesday.

With generally low danger, and nothing in the current weather pattern likely to change that, I won't be reporting on current conditions for a few days. For real-time weather data and the National Weather Service forecast, please see the following links:

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

Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').

NWS weather forecast

Snowpack: The past several weeks have not been great for our snowpack. On the surface, SW-NW winds have strafed and scoured the snow right down to the rocks at upper elevations. Where snow still exists in these areas it looks like a textured desert landscape. Ribbons of windboard and crust exist on exposed northerly aspects with only the most sheltered locations offering soft snow. Weak, faceted snow is developing on the surface in sheltered areas, while underneath, faceted snow has developed in areas where the snowpack is less than about 4' deep. For more information on the snowpack, see this excellent observation from Chris Benson.

This video was posted on Saturday, Feb 15, and documents conditions from last week. Little has changed.