The avalanche danger is generally LOW. Small avalanches remain possible in isolated areas and extreme terrain. This includes:
Practice safe travel techniques and carry rescue gear. Ski or ride steep slopes one at a time.
There's very little snow available snow for transport out there but with wind speeds above 40 mph, we still might see some snow blowing around. Look for shallow, fresh drifts on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features on upper elevation, northerly aspects.
Strong winds and increasing clouds should keep loose, wet avalanche activity at bay but with a marginal overnight refreeze, and warm temperatures today, we can't rule it out. Be alert to signs of instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels on sun exposed slopes, and stay off of, and out from under steep slopes if they become wet and sloppy.
Road Conditions: The lower end of the Geyser Pass road is now mostly dry dirt. Melting snow on the upper end will make for sloppy and muddy conditions later in the day.
Grooming: The trail into Gold Basin was last rolled out on Monday.
Click here to see the La Sal avalanche database. Prudent backcountry travelers will want to know what slopes have previously avalanched, as some of these slopes hold shallow, weak snow.
6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 190" Depth at Gold Basin 62"
Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: SE30-40 G 50 Temp 36° F Percent of Normal: 125%
Weather
Uncle gusty has arrived and a high wind warning is in effect. Today, look for increasing clouds, warm temperatures, and nuking southerly winds averaging 40-50 mph with gusts as high as 70 mph. By early afternoon, moisture will spill into the region ahead of the cold front which will cause temperatures to crater to near 10°F tonight. Chances for snow look meager and I think we'll be lucky to see a couple of inches. A chance for snow lingers into Saturday with clearing skies later in the day and continued blustery conditions. Sunday looks sunny and mostly calm.
General Conditions
Today we should see a drastic deterioration of conditions and heading up to the mountains, or even going outside may be a questionable choice. A poor overnight freeze will make for some punchy conditions on sun exposed slopes and areas of soft powder snow are dwindling. The other unfortunate aspect of these very windy conditions in springtime is airborne dust, and we may end up with a layer that could interfere with future corn conditions. Fingers crossed that this won't be too bad. I learned last week that it pays to be pessimistic - maybe we'll get a nice surprise with no dust, and a few inches of snow to freshen up conditions for Sunday.
Of note: Dave and I continue to find shallow areas with poor snowpack structure, or in other words, weak faceted snow under old wind slabs. More the exception than the rule, you can nevertheless find this structure in repeat running slide paths, along wind swept ridges, and along wind scoured slope margins near rocky outcrops. If you are getting into higher, more extreme terrain, it's worth poking around and looking for this weak structure, and maybe reconsidering your line if you find it.
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.
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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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.
