The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind loaded terrain at upper elevations, primarily on slopes that face NW-N-SE. New wind drifts will cover old, and human triggered avalanches up to 3' deep are possible. There is a MODERATE danger for avalanches involving the most recent snow. Be on the lookout for cohesive soft slabs more than about 6" deep, and avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees if they are present. There also remains an isolated or MODERATE danger for triggering a deep and dangerous avalanche on a buried, persistent weak layer. You are most likely to encounter this problem on steep, rocky, northerly facing slopes, or in areas with a shallower snowpack.
Be on the lookout for fresh deposits of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation terrain that faces NW-N-SE. New wind drifts will cover old, and avalanches up to 3' deep will be possible on steep, wind loaded terrain. You can recognize wind drifted slopes by their smooth, rounded, or "fat" appearance. Cracking in the snow surface is a sign of instability.
Look for dense, cohesive slabs in the new snow today. Blocks of snow between skin tracks, or a quick hand pit will tell you if they exist. Slabs within the new snow will start to become problematic in areas with 6" or more of new snow. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface, and avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees where slabs are present.
Though it's been getting harder to trigger an avalanche on a buried persistent weak layer, a poor snowpack structure still exists in many areas. The most suspect areas are steep, rocky slopes facing NW-NE-E, but other areas with a shallower snowpack also remain suspect. This includes slopes that have already avalanched, or that have been previously wind scoured. Any avalanches triggered on a persistent weak layer would be large and dangerous.
It is with great sadness that I report the death of an old friend. On Sunday, March 3, Scott Spencer was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche near Lizard Head Pass, about 12 miles south of Telluride, Colorado. It has been a deadly season in Utah and Colorado this year, and this one has really hit home. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Sara, sons Jack and Peter, and the rest of his family and wide circle of friends who have been affected. Here is the preliminary report.
Gold Basin is reporting 5" of dense new snow this morning. SW winds blew in the moderate to strong range most of the day yesterday but backed off around 10:00 pm. They are currently blowing in the 15-20 mph range with gusts to 30. 10,000' temps are in the high 20's.
Snowfall should continue through the day with another 3"-5" possible. SW winds will continue to blow in the 15-20 mph range along ridge tops, and high temps will be in the low 30's. The next wave will move through on Friday. We'll see increasing SW winds, and 5"-7" of new snow possible by Saturday morning.
New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')
Snotel totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600') y
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
National Weather Service point forecast.
Check out this clip of local Moab sledders playing it safe and making sure their beacons are on at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.
Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: [email protected].
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This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
