Introduction: Good
morning, this is Max Forgensi with the To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE. To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE. To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page. MLAC NEWS: We have started an observer page for
folks to send us their backcountry observations. Report what you see in your
backcountry travels HERE.
Please send us your reports on avalanches, ski conditions, road conditions,
snow pit profiles etc. Thanks! You can also report observations at
435-636-3363 |
General Conditions: Light winds and warm temperatures
in the mountains yesterday left no doubt that spring is on the way. Winter
snowpack conditions still exist on northerly aspects of the mountains but
springtime melt-freeze conditions are happening and slopes with a thin snow
cover are already melting out down to the Talus. Some of the runs we were
able to ski late in the spring last year are already mostly bare rock. Where there
is snow, good corn skiing on supportable crusts can be found on SE, SW and W
facing slopes. This is the best bet for turns right now as everywhere else is
a mix of windcrusts, raincrusts and faceted snowgrains with extremely
variable supportability and trapdoor potential. The Skate skiing is in good
shape right now and the road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is plowed nicely. A
snowy week is in the forecast and we can really use it. Mountain Weather: (At
10,500’) Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a south southwest
wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. |
Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS): in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
6:00 a.m. Temp (F) |
Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link) |
24” |
0 |
39 |
Marginal freezing |
Geyser Pass |
130 cm |
0 |
N/a |
Deepest place these days |
|
42”/105cm |
0 |
n/a |
|
N/a |
N/a |
26.7 |
6:00 am-Southerly
@ 20-30 mph |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here) We’ve been looking at the
snowpack intensely the last few days as we travel through the La Sal
Mountains with our Level II avalanche class. What we are finding is an
incredible mixed bag of snowpack conditions out there ranging from deep,
moderately strong snow with no significant instabilities; to shallow, weak
snow that fails with the tap of a finger. We are also starting to see a major
change on solar slopes as the snowpack changes to a more melt-freeze form. There is not much going on out there avalanche
wise at this time, but with such a weak and variable snowpack, we are hesitant
to lower the avalanche danger rating. If we base the forecast on our weakest
shear, we would still have the hazard in a higher range, but we are not
seeing these weak shears everywhere. Daytime warming is also a factor as we
move into spring and afternoon wet slides start to become a real danger. The
BOTTOM LINE for today is a two part forecast. On steep NE-NW facing slopes
expect to find a MODERATE avalanche danger, on E-SE-SW-W facing slope expect
to find a LOW danger early in the day with the danger increasing to MODERATE
as the temperatures rise. Your best bet these days is an early start and an
early finish. Thanks for checking in. We need your observations! Call
435-636-3363 or use the link near the top of the page to get to the observers
page! Yes, DO IT! Take a look at a snow pit from our
tour on 01/15/06 here.
|