avalanche advisory

January 9, 2007 - 7:06 am   Most terrain has a LOW avalanche danger.  The avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees.  With daytime heating, it may be possible to trigger a few small slides on steep, sunny slopes.

UDOT will be sighting in a weapon in Provo Canyon tomorrow morning, Wednesday, January 10, around 10 am.  Please, no ice climbing in Provo Canyon Wednesday morning until completion of their work around midday.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Skies are clear this morning, and the days of wind are over. Along the ridgelines, temperatures have been creeping up all night, and are in the low to mid 20’s. The winds have shifted to the west, and are less than 15 mph at all but a couple of the highest peaks. It will be another strikingly beautiful day in the mountains, though it’s too bad the snow conditions don’t quite mirror the weather conditions. Snow surface conditions include a bias relief of old tracks, widespread crusts and wind damage. But with good detective work, you can find stashes of scattered powder and slopes with more consistent snow, or at least thin crusts you can blast through. The backcountry was quiet yesterday.  One new slide was observed from a distance, above Thaynes Canyon on the Park City side of the range, with an unknown trigger.  It was on a mid elevation slope with an easterly component, about 2' deep by 100' wide, and looked similar to a slide triggered nearby on Sunday with control work.

24 Hrs Yesterday, most wind slabs seemed welded into place, cracking just around your skies with hard jumps.  These stubborn wind drifts are all over the map, on a wide variety of aspects and elevations, and conditions change over short distances of just a few steps.  Approach any steep, wind drifted slope with caution, as it still might be possible to trigger one of these drifts, and in the wrong terrain go for a long ride or off a cliff. 

With significantly warmer temperatures today, it may also be possible to trigger a few damp sluffs or small slabs on steep, sunny slopes.  And yes, you can still punch your ski pole to the ground in so many places.  The chance of triggering a slide on one of the deeper faceted weak layer is very small, with the weaker snow outside the upper elevations in the Cottonwoods, on slopes with a shallow snow pack.

Sunshine, light winds and warm temperatures are in store for the mountains today. 8000’ highs will approach 40, and 10,000’ temperatures will be near freezing. Winds will be from the west to southwest, generally in the 10 to 15 mph range. Looking beyond today’s balmy conditions, you may want to stock up on hand and toe warmers. A very cold Pacific storm system will impact the area Thursday into the weekend, with periods of heavy snow and temperatures dropping well below zero.

The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were grounded due to weather yesterday and today they will be in Cardiff, Days, Mineral, Silver, Grizzly, American Fork, and possibly Cascade and White Pine. uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 10, 2007 - 6:27 am   Most terrain has a LOW avalanche danger.  There is a pockety MODERATE danger on wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees and more pronounced on north through east facing slopes. 

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Temperatures remained warm overnight and are in the upper 20s to low 30s out of the valley bottoms.  Southwest winds are picking up and are blowing in the 40s to 50s along the most exposed locations but are generally in the 10 to 15 mph range along the mid elevation ridges.  As for snow surface conditions, one person described it as a “crust buffet” with a wide variety of wind crusts, melt freeze crusts, and a nice thin rime crust that formed in the upper elevations of the Cottonwood canyons on Monday.  If you’re savvy, you can still find settled powder out of wind affected areas.

It was another quiet day in the backcountry on Tuesday except a few minor wet slides (PHOTO) that released on southerly facing slopes.  One of our observers did experience some significant collapsing on a southeast aspect while they were climbing out of Snake Creek.  This is a friendly reminder of the weak snow that exists throughout our snowpack. 

24 Hrs For today the main concern will be the minor chance of finding a slab to release in steep wind drifted areas.  While the winds will be from the southwest, most southerly facing slopes have a melt freeze crust which will prevent much snow transport.  Nevertheless, always watch for plumes coming off of ridges and peaks which indicate which slope aspects are getting loaded.  The older wind slabs seem stuck in place for the most part but there may be a few areas where you could get one to pop out.

Clouds will increase throughout the day as well as southwesterly winds which will blow in the 10 to 20 mph range with gusts in the 40s and 50s at the more exposed locations.  Temperatures will remain warm and at 8000 feet will be near 40 degrees and in the low 30s in the 9 to 10,000 foot range.  A storm will move through starting late tonight and linger into Saturday.  It doesn’t look like a whopper but we should see 6 to 12 inches on Thursday.  Most mountain areas in the state of Utah should see snow out of this event.

UDOT will be sighting in a weapon in Provo Canyon today at around 10 am.  Ice climbers need to avoid Provo Canyon Wednesday morning until UDOT completes their work around midday.

OGDEN:  There will be a free avalanche talk at the Huntsville Library where I’ll be speaking along with some snow safety personnel from Snowbasin.  It will be Thursday evening at 7pm.  The public is welcome.

The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in Cardiff, Days, Mineral, Silver, Grizzly, and Cascade on Tuesday and if the weather allows they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, American Fork in the Mill Canyon area, White Pine, Cascade and the Sessions Mountains in Bountiful.

uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Bruce Tremper will update this advisory by 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 11, 2007 - 6:59 am   Today the avalanche danger will rise from LOW in the morning to MODERATE in the afternoon as new snow and wind-blown snow accumulate.  If more than a foot of new or wind-blown snow accumulate the danger will be CONSIDERABLE, especially in places where the old snow is less than about 2.5 feet deep.Forecaster: Bruce Tremper

OGDEN:  There will be a free avalanche talk at the Huntsville Library where Brett Kobernik be speaking along with some snow safety personnel from Snowbasin.  It will be Thursday evening at 7pm.  The public is welcome.HEBER: There will be a free avalanche awareness talk for snowmobilers tonight at 7:00 pm at Nelson’s Fast Track, which is 1740 S. Highway 40.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia I have to admit I’m getting a little weary of routine.  I believe this is the fourth storm in a row that has come on a Thursday—my forecast day.  And the storms are all eerily similar, splitting closed lows in which the center of the closed low comes right over the top of us, which are nearly impossible to forecast for snow amounts.  What did I do to deserve this?  If you can’t remember my well-worn spiel from last week and the week before, etc. etc. the old snow surfaces are in bad need of some freshening up with heavily wind blasted snow at and above tree line, sun crusts on the sun exposed slopes and a few scraps of soft, settled, creamy snow in the wind and sun sheltered slopes that are mostly tracked-up.Last night and this morning, the ridge top winds have been blowing hard from the southwest, steady 30, gusting to 50 and 40, gusting to 60 on the most exposed peaks.  Ridge top temperatures have dropped into the 20’s on their way to near zero by tonight.

No recent avalanche activity.But FYI, here are some photos of avalanches from last Sunday on Box Elder Peak Photo1, Photo2, and Cascade Ridge area, Photo1. 24 Hrs Once again, I don’t think the wind or new snow today will change the avalanche conditions too much.  As for the wind, there’s nothing left to blow around after the huge winds from last weekend.  Second, I’m only expecting 6-10 inches of new snow and the winds should drop dramatically by mid day and much of the snow should come down without much wind.  We are at that time of year when the thicker snowpack areas have a fairly solid underlying snow because the snow is thick enough to allow the faceted layers in the lower half of the snowpack to gain strength.  However, the thinner snowpack areas are still composed of weak, faceted snow from top to bottom and it won’t take too much additional weight to overload the house of cards.  Today you should carefully watch both sides of the teeter-totter, namely, the strength of the buried weak layers and the amount of weight piled on top of them.  In the thinner snowpack areas, say less than 2 feet deep, it may require only about an inch of water weight to activate the faceted snow (a foot of new snow).  In deeper snowpack areas, say more than 3-4 feet deep, it will take probably a couple inches of water weight.

Also, you will need to watch for the usual problems with the new snow, such as density inversions within the new snow and wind drifting.  Be sure to jump on test slopes, do slope cuts and regularly test the new snow by digging down with your hand and pulling on small blocks.

Yet again (yawn) the energy of the storm is splitting and going mostly south of us into southern Utah and Arizona.  We will get some snow today as the cold front passes but by this evening, the ridge top winds will die down to near zero and turn northerly, which will limit the snow tonight and on Friday.  I’m optimistically expecting 6-10 inches of new snow out of this storm by Friday.  The cold air boundary will linger over central Utah for most of today and Friday, so temperatures as well as snow amounts will vary dramatically depending on how far north or south you travel.  But speaking of temperatures, it will be cold enough that even Craig Gordon might have to wear a hat.  Temperatures will be near zero through much of the 3-day weekend and it will finally start to warm up on about Tuesday.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides took a couple quick runs in Cascade Ridge but were shut down by wind.  They will most likely not be able to get out today, but if they do they will be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly and White Pine, American Fork and Cascade. uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 on Friday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 12, 2007 - 6:50 am   Today the avalanche danger is generally LOW.  Pockets with a MODERATE danger exist mainly due to sluffing of the new snow on slopes over 35 degrees in steepness on all aspects.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Well, we remain in a holding pattern.  Many areas have a weak snow structure but without a significant new load and the absence of wind, the avalanche danger stays about the same.  The mountains have overcast skies with scattered light snow showers along with dropping temperatures and wind speeds over the last 24 hours.  Temps are down into the single digits to around zero and wind speeds are generally less then 10 mph with an easterly component.  24 hour snow totals are 5 to 8 inches throughout our forecast area.  With lack of significant wind to enhance orographic lift, the valleys, once again, did almost as good with snowfall as higher up in the canyons.

Not much to report from Thursday except that the new snow was sluffing quite easily.  Potential for burial was not much but sluffs were large enough to knock you off your feet.  The better riding conditions were on lower angle slopes where you weren’t feeling the variety of underlying crusts as much.  The new snow has not added enough weight to overload the various weak layers that are deeper in the snowpack.

24 Hrs The main concern for today will be sluffing of the new snow.  Natural activity will have come to a halt but you will still be able to initiate sluffs on the steeper slopes.  These won’t pose a great threat but may become large enough to knock you down.  Last weekends wind slabs did not produce any human triggered avalanches in the Wasatch over the last few days but our forecasters from the Manti Skyline did have a very dense hard slab release as they were approaching it.  If you look hard enough around the Wasatch especially out of the Cottonwoods you might be able to find one of these to release but they’re spotty at best.

It’s a pretty simple scenario for the next 24 hours:  cold temperatures, light east winds with snow flurries.  Temperatures will be in the single digits along the ridgelines.  A few inches of light density snow will continue to add up with the best chance for accumulation tonight into Saturday morning.  For the rest of the weekend we’ll see continued cold temperatures and chances for snow flurries.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guidesdid not fly.  They will most likely not be able to get out today, but if they do they will be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, and American Fork.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742 2800.uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Saturday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 13, 2007 - 7:10 am   Bottom Line for the Salt Lake and Park City area mountains:  Today the avalanche danger is generally LOW.  There are pockets of MODERATE danger on slopes approaching 40 degrees or steeper on all aspects, due to sluffing of the new snow and a few rouge wind drifts.  If the winds pick up where you are, stay off of any steep slope with fresh wind drifts.  In the windier Ogden and Provo area mountains, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes of about 35 degrees or steeper, where triggering wind drifts 1 to 2 feet deep and loose snow sluffs is possible. 

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Well, the snow you had to shovel in your driveway this past week probably equals the new snow that fell in the mountains. Storm totals from Thursday were 5 to 10 inches throughout our forecast area, with the higher numbers north in the Ogden area mountains. The easterly winds have generally been very well behaved, remaining less than 10 mph. The exceptions stand out – a few of the stations in the Ogden and Provo area mountains had 20 mph averages yesterday and overnight, with gusts to 25, and drifts in the foothills indicate there have been some stronger speeds at the lower elevations. Temperatures are still falling this morning. They are generally hovering just below zero, with a few places down to minus 12. This puts the wind chill at –35 degrees in the windier spots, so cover your skin and keep a close eye on your partners exposed face today, checking for the white spots of frostbite.

Today, you’ll be basically turning and riding on the old snow surface from last week – which could be anything from crusts, wind slabs, tracks and rocks to the rare old soft snow on very sheltered shady slopes. Some of the southerly facing slopes are inconsistent to the point of being down right dangerous. Low angle terrain may have the most consistent turns.

24 Hrs Loose snow sluffs were the only avalanche activity reported from the Salt Lake, Park City and Provo area mountains yesterday.  Most were not large enough to bury you, though a few could take you for an unexpected ride.  24 Hrs In the Ogden area mountains and the lower elevation foothills, the stronger winds did whip up some new pillowy, sensitive wind drifts, with the easterly direction cross loading the drifts into unusual locations around terrain features.  People were able to trigger these new wind drifts, and they need to be avoided on steep slopes at all elevations.  The new snow has not added enough weight to overload the various weak layers that are deeper in the snowpack.  Check out some recent snow profiles. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy today, with instability showers delivering a few inches of very light snow. The winds are currently in the process of shifting to a more northwesterly direction, and should remain in the 5 to 15 mph range, with only a few locations averaging 20 mph with gusts to 25. Temperatures will linger near zero along the ridges, and struggle to reach 5 above at 8,000’. Sunday will be similar – partly cloudy, light snow showers and extremely cold. The extended forecast is looking rather bleak, with no new snow expected until the end of the week.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff.  Today, they do they will be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, White Pine, Snake Creek, American Fork and the Sessions.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsOur new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click HEREFor our classic text advisory click HERE.To sign up for automated e-mails of our graphical advisory click HEREWe appreciate any snowpack and avalanche observations you have, so please leave us a message at (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@avalanche.org. (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 on Sunday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 16, 2007 - 6:57 am   Today the avalanche danger is generally LOW with a localized MODERATE danger of shallow new wind drifts in the higher terrain. 

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Reports of good riding conditions are few and far between.  While you may find sheltered areas where the few inches of snow we received last week are on top of soft snow, most places have a variety of wind, rime and sun crusts below the most recent snow.  The moderate winds speeds from yesterday blew the few inches of light density snow around at the higher elevations making things even more variable.  Did I mention that we’re also experiencing an overall lean snowpack for this time of the season?  (Jan 2006, Jan 2007, Click HERE to understand the charts)  Alta had recorded almost 150 inches more snow last year at this same time and many snow stations are at around 60 to 70% of normal.  (Snotel Stations:  mouse over the station on the map and look at the %Avg at the right of the map)  Well, I guess this means while we currently have bad snow at least there’s not that much of it.  Also this will sharpen up your bush, shrub and alder route finding techniques which leads me into preferred clothing.  Gortex is out, denim is in.  It’s much more abrasion resistant.  It also provides a little friction in case you take a skidder on a hard crust.  Sorry for the mini rant, on a high note temperatures are up above 10 degrees at the upper elevations and winds are generally less then 10 mph from the north along the ridges.

Let’s get back on track and look at the snow a bit.  The variable snow depths consist of layers of week snow with a variety of crusts throughout the pack which makes for a very complex pattern.  But, we can break this down to a simple form.  The pattern for the season has been small storms which produce a layer of snow that then sits on the surface and becomes weak before the next small storm comes in and does the same thing.  These weak layers continue to stack up and we’ve never really overloaded them but they haven’t gained much strength in many areas either.  That’s the situation right now, the surface is becoming weak and there are some nice sliding surfaces below it but without any significant storms in the future, who cares?  Oops, I’m slipping off into a tangent again.

24 Hrs For today the main concern will be fresh shallow wind drifts in the higher elevations.  These won’t pose a great threat but be aware they may crack out and cause problems if you’re in exposed terrain.

Sunny skies will prevail with 8000’ temps reaching into the low 20s and the 10,000’ temps heading into the teens.  Surface winds will remain light and variable.  The next storm again splits with the closed low drifting south over California and northern portion of the trof will clip Utah on Wednesday with a few flurries possible.  Long range models still look bleak for snowfall.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly due to winds and today they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, American Fork, White Pine, Cascade and the Bountiful Sessions.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.

Our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting the 4th Annual Backcountry Awareness Week Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 17, 2007 - 6:59 am   The snowpack is mostly stable and the avalanche danger generally LOW.  Remember, Low Danger doesn’t mean no danger, and there are isolated places where a person could trigger a small slide – most likely a shallow, loose sluff or a thin, hard wind slab.  These pose the greatest threat if they surprise you in steep terrain, and push you over a cliff or into a gully. 

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Skies are clear this morning, and mountain temperatures are in the single digits to low teens.  In the Ogden and Provo area mountains, temperatures at the 7 and 8,000’ foot stations have warmed into the upper teens.  Winds have shifted to the southwest, and are generally in the 5 to 10 mph range.  It’s a bit breezier in the Ogden area mountains, with speeds of 15 to 25 mph, and gusts to 30.   Sun and clean air are the main reason to head into the mountains today, and when you find a few good turns here and there, it will just be icing on the cake.  With good visibility and stable snow, it’s a great time to explore new terrain.

See below 24 Hrs The snowpack is mostly stable, and the avalanche danger is generally low.   But that doesn’t mean you can’t trigger a slide.  Yesterday, people continued to trigger small loose snow slides, “sugarlanches” as Bill Nalli calls them.  On steep slopes, some of these sluffs are just large enough to knock you off your feet and take you for a ride.  Be especially careful on slopes where there are hard, slick crusts beneath.  Also, people were able to crack out a few shallow wind slabs in the Provo and American Fork drainages, about 2 to 6” deep.  Again, if these surprised you on steep terrain, they could knock you off balance, and send you over a cliff or for a slide.  So as you travel today, use normal caution.  Go one at a time on steep slopes, keep your partner in sight, and always have an escape plan.  And keep looking at the snow – great faceted crystals are developing in some of the shallower spots, and crust/facet sandwiches abound.

The mountain weather will be delightful, with moderating temperatures and plenty of sunshine.  Temperatures will be in the low teens at 10,000’ and warm to near 30 at 8,000’.  Winds will be from the southwest, generally in the 5 to 15 mph range.  The winds will shift to a more westerly direction later today, and increase into the 20 to 30 mph range across the highest terrain by tonight.  Partly cloudy skies tonight and tomorrow, as a weak trough clips northern Utah, with a few flakes of snow possible.  Then, it looks to me as if the high pressure camped out over northern Utah has decided to homestead.

Bruce Tremper will be giving a talk tonight at 5:30 pm, on the Science and History of Avalanches at the Lodge at Snowbird, and the public is welcome.

Tomorrow, January 18th, the Hellgate-Superior portion of Little Cottonwood Canyon road will be closed for highway avalanche rescue training from approximately 9 am to 2 pm.  Travel to Alta will be via the by-pass road.

Our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting the 4th Annual Backcountry Awareness Week Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff, Mineral, Mill Canyon Peak and Dry Fork.  Today they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Mill Creek, American Fork and Cascade.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.

The beacon park is up and running at Solitude Ski Resort if you’re looking for something to do until the next snow.

uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Bruce Tremper will update this advisory by 7:30 on Thursday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 18, 2007 - 6:57 am   The snowpack is mostly stable and the avalanche danger generally LOW.  Remember, Low Danger doesn’t mean no danger, and there are isolated places where a person could trigger a small slide – most likely a shallow, loose sluff or a thin, hard wind slab.  These pose the greatest threat if they surprise you in steep terrain, and push you over a cliff or into a gully.  Forecaster: Bruce Tremper

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia If you are reading or listening to this, you can consider yourself to be one of the true addicts of the avalanche report.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.  To save you time, there’s absolutely nothing going on and there is likely to be nothing going on until at least the end of January.  Try us again in another 10 days.But if you insist….  Ridge top temperatures have cooled down again this morning, around zero on the highest peaks.  And it may be cold, but at least the wind is blowing hard 15-30 with gusts into the 40’s from the northwest.  Winds should calm later in the day and ridge top temperatures will warm up to nearly 20 degrees.Snow surface conditions, as one of our observers put it, “If you find areas that are not wind, sun or brush-affected, you have a chance for good turns.”  And most of those areas are already tracked out.  So it’s time to get creative and do some exploring.

Only loose sluffs of faceted snow on steep, mid elevation breakovers.

24 Hrs The snowpack is mostly stable, and the avalanche danger is generally low.   Folks are triggering loose-snow avalanches on steep, mid-elevation breakovers in the extremely weak faceted snow and surface hoar.  But that is the only avalanche activity we have heard of.  Photo of our crust-sandwich snowpack.

Today is another great day to avoid permanent damage to your lungs and get your exercise up above the smog.  We’ll have sunny skies and the zero degree temperatures and winds on the ridge tops will warm up today to 18 degrees and the northwest winds should die later in the day.  By Friday, ridge top temperatures should rise to 21 degrees with light and variable winds.For the extended forecast, we have a very weak system on Saturday night from the northwest that should temporarily blow out the smog until it builds back up during a strong high pressure next week.

On January 24th at 7:30pm, our partners, the Friends of UAC will be accepting donations at a photo show by mountain sports photographer Scott Markewitz. Shot both internationally and in Utah, Scott’s images have been showcased in the world’s most prestigious ski and outdoor and capture the essence of what keeps us alive, twitching and checking this report daily. Suggested donation $10. At the Rose Wagner Blackbox Theater, 138 W 300 S in downtown SLC.

Our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting the 4th Annual Backcountry Awareness Week.  As part of this, there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cascade, American Fork, Cardiff, Days, Mineral, Mill Creek and Grizzly.  Today they will likely be in the same areas with the addition of White Pine.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.Today the Hellgate-Superior portion of Little Cottonwood Canyon road will be closed for highway avalanche rescue training from approximately 9 am to 2 pm.  Travel to Alta will be via the by-pass road.The beacon park is up and running at Solitude Ski Resort if you’re looking for something to do until the next snow.uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Brett Kobernik will update this advisory by 7:30 on Friday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 19, 2007 - 6:34 am   The snowpack is mostly stable and the avalanche danger generally LOW.  Remember, Low Danger doesn’t mean no danger, and there are isolated places where a person could trigger a small slide – most likely a shallow, loose sluff or a thin, hard wind slab.  These pose the greatest threat if they surprise you in steep terrain, and push you over a cliff or into a gully. 

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia After coming unglued about the snow conditions during my shift on Tuesday some people have told me that I need an attitude adjustment and to take things a bit more seriously and I agree.  You can still find good enough riding conditions to have a wonderful day full of joy in the mountains.  (PHOTO)  Temperatures are not as frigid as a few days ago and are in the mid teens to low 20s at most mountain locations and the winds have been light from the northwest over the last 24 hours.

 

Weak snow continues to highlight the snowpack discussion.  Many areas have very weak snow on the surface as well as deeper into the pack and people are finding more and more spots where they’re punching right through to the ground.  As the surface weakens, sluffing on steep slopes will continue.  However, you need a big steep and sustained pitch for these to gain enough mass to even knock a person down.  There are wind slabs around but seem to stay in place for the most part.  Folks are still finding a pocket here or there to come out but they don’t cause much concern.  (PHOTOS)  One skier did find a pocket up to around 75 feet wide on an east southeast facing steep slope pushing 40 degrees on Thursday.  It was a wind slab on top of a thin melt freeze crust with facets below it.  Not much chance for burial but it could have been a messy ride through some trees and rocks.

24 Hrs Low doesn't mean no.  Watch for isolated slabs in exposed terrain as well as sluffing on northerly facing aspects on steep sustained pitches. Looks like another great day to recreate in the mountains.  Skies will be clear with ridgetop temperatures in the low to mid 20s and light northeast winds.  Saturday afternoon into Sunday brings the next unimpressive system through with our only chance for snow before a nice ridge of high pressure sets in for next week.

On January 24th at 7:30pm, our partners, the Friends of UAC will be accepting donations at a photo show by mountain sports photographer Scott Markewitz. Shot both internationally and in Utah, Scott’s images have been showcased in the world’s most prestigious ski and outdoor and capture the essence of what keeps us alive, twitching and checking this report daily. Suggested donation $10. At the Rose Wagner Blackbox Theater, 138 W 300 S in downtown SLC. On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches.  Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.  She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.

Our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting the 4th Annual Backcountry Awareness Week.  As part of this, there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cascade and American Fork, Cardiff.  Today they’ll be hunting all over like the rest of us in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, Silver, Grizzly, White Pine, American Fork, Cascade, Mill Creek and the Sessions.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Saturday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 20, 2007 - 6:58 am   The snowpack is mostly stable and the avalanche danger generally LOW.  Remember, Low Danger doesn’t mean no danger, and there are isolated places where a person could trigger a small slide – most likely a shallow, loose sluff or a thin, hard wind slab.  These pose the greatest threat if they surprise you in steep terrain, and push you over a cliff or into a gully. 

Evelyn Lees 

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A small disturbance is headed our way, and temperatures are warmer this morning.  Most stations are in the upper teens and low twenties.  The winds have shifted to the northwest, and are blowing in the 10 to 15 mph range.  It’s time to forget any New Years resolutions about “low fat”.  Instead, “super size”, with wide skis, long boards and larger snow shoes.  This will help keep you on top of the greatest facets on earth…which are becoming increasingly punchy in shallow snowpack areas, especially at the mid elevations.  However, most areas are still supportable due to the interspersed crust layers  (photo) (Profile) and the turns are good in the sugary snow and surface hoar if you can find untracked slopes.  And if nothing else, at least you’ll find clean air to exercise in.

The only avalanches reported yesterday were the now common sluffs on steep slopes.  24 Hrs If you turn your back and get surprised, a few of these sluffs are large enough that they could knock you off balance, or pile up snow deeply in a confined gully.  Also, there are a few shallow wind slabs out there that could still be triggered by a person.  While it’s been a couple of days since someone last triggered one (PHOTOS), if you’re in steep, radical terrain getting knocked off your feet could be dangerous.   So be observant and think consequences.  Looks like there will finally be a small shake up in the weather department – while we can’t actually fire the high pressure, it will be temporarily replaced with a small Pacific cold front.  Clouds will gradually increase today, with snow showers possible by evening.  The northwesterly winds will also increase throughout the day, into the 15 to 25 mph range, with gusts in the 30’s.  A few inches of snow are possible tonight, with winds shifting to the northeast.  Clouds will decrease on Sunday, with temperatures cooling back into the single digits at 10,000’.  High pressure will take control once again through at least mid week.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Mineral, Cardiff and the Sessions.  Today they’ll be hunting all over like the rest of us in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, White Pine, American Fork, and the Sessions.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800. On January 24th at 7:30pm, our partners, the Friends of UAC will be accepting donations at a photo show by mountain sports photographer Scott Markewitz. Shot both internationally and in Utah, Scott’s images have been showcased in the world’s most prestigious ski and outdoor and capture the essence of what keeps us alive, twitching and checking this report daily. Suggested donation $10. At the Rose Wagner Blackbox Theater, 138 W 300 S in downtown SLC. On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches.  It will be at the Salt Lake REI at 7pm.  Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.  She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.

On Saturday Jan. 27th, come join us for a star studded fundraising ride. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819.  Then there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 23, 2007 - 6:55 am   For today most areas have a LOW avalanche danger.  You will find some areas that have a MODERATE danger which includes higher elevation terrain with fresh wind drifts and also watch southerly facing slopes for loose snow avalanche activity as the sun heats them.

Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A few clouds rolled through late yesterday and last night and temperatures are generally in the low to mid 20s at the upper elevations and cooler down below.  Northwest winds blew a bit yesterday and last night mainly along the higher ridges.  They are in the 5 to 15 mph range gusting into the 20s but with higher gusts in the 40s and 50s at the more exposed locations.

As far as snowpack and avalanche conditions go, the letters Y A W N sum it up nicely!  The newest snow from Sunday is still producing some sluffing and the winds did form some small drifts that people could get to crack along the upper elevation ridges.  Nothing is posing a real threat right now.  (PHOTOS)

 

24 Hrs Today we’ll want to watch for these new drifts along the lee of the ridges. Northeast through southeast will be the most likely aspects to find these but remember that mountain terrain channels winds in many directions so you always need to pay attention when things blow.

7 Hrs The temperature inversion continues and the air at the upper elevations will warm quite a bit today.  This may induce some sluffing and loose snow slides on the southerly facing slopes.

Skies should clear out for the most part today and 8000 foot temperatures will get into the upper 30s and into the upper 20s to low 30s along the 9000 foot ridges.  Northwest winds will slow just a bit and blow in the 5 to 10 mph range gusting to around 20.  It will be a bit more blustery at the higher elevations with gusts into the 30s and 40s.  The next lame looking storm will affect us this weekend with the next small chance for snow.

The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in American Fork and Lambs Canyon yesterday and if the winds allow they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Grizzly, White Pine, American Fork, Cascade and the Bountiful Sessions. If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800. On January 24th at 7:30pm, our partners, the Friends of UAC will be accepting donations at a photo show by mountain sports photographer Scott Markewitz. Shot both internationally and in Utah, Scott’s images have been showcased in the world’s most prestigious ski and outdoor and capture the essence of what keeps us alive, twitching and checking this report daily. Suggested donation $10. At the Rose Wagner Blackbox Theater, 138 W 300 S in downtown SLC. On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches. It will be at the Salt Lake REI at 7pm. Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center. She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.

On Saturday Jan. 27th, come join us for a star studded fundraising ride. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819. 

                                                    

Then there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

 

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

 

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click HERE This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 24, 2007 - 7:00 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, with just a few minor avalanche concerns.   A person could trigger a shallow wind slab or a loose sluff on either the cold, shady slopes or the steep sunny slopes.  These sluffs and wind slabs are only of consequence to a person in very steep terrain, or above a cliff or gully.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Blue bird days, mild temperatures and light winds sum up the mountain weather for the next few days.  Temperatures are already in the mid to upper 20’s this morning, the northerly winds have decreased into the 5 to 15 mph range, and skies are clear.  The prolonged dry spell has caused the total snow depth to flat line, and the green lights are now gone in the Wasatch on the snowpack water equivalent map.   Sunny slopes are crusted, and many upper elevation slopes are wind damaged, sporting breakable crusts.  So search for the soft, recrystalized powder on untracked, sheltered shady slopes.  But when you find it you’ll need to develop a new rhythm of turn, sink, recover and float in the punchy snow.

The only avalanche activity continues to be minor sluffing on the shady slopes and a few very shallow small wind slabs.  24 Hrs Today, expect sluffing on shady slopes, and it may extend to southerly facing slopes as the snow surface heats up and becomes damp.  These sluffs and wind slabs are only of consequence to a person in very steep terrain, especially above a cliff or gully.  With the ongoing “facet invasion” creating a widespread occurrence of angular snow with poor bonding, I keep telling my boss I need to be in the field to continue the government investigation of all the angles.  Take a hand lens today, and check out tomorrow’s weak layers for yourself – near surface facets, surface hoar and depth hoar.

High pressure maintains its strong grip on Utah.  In the mountains, it will be another beautiful clear day, with temperatures warming to near 40 at 8,000’ and freezing at 10,000’.  Winds will be light; generally less than 10 mph from the north.   The only break in the pattern is a weak disturbance that could move through the Great Basin on Saturday, but its unlikely that it will produce any meaningful wind or snow in northern Utah.

The Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in Mineral, Cardiff, American Fork and Snake Creek yesterday and today they’ll be in Mineral, Cardiff, Days, Silver, Mill Creek, White Pine, and the Bountiful Sessions.  If you have questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800. On January 24th at 7:30pm, our partners, the Friends of UAC will be accepting donations at a photo show by mountain sports photographer Scott Markewitz. Shot both internationally and in Utah, Scott’s images have been showcased in the world’s most prestigious ski and outdoor and capture the essence of what keeps us alive, twitching and checking this report daily. Suggested donation $10. At the Rose Wagner Blackbox Theater, 138 W 300 S in downtown SLC. On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches.  It will be at the Salt Lake REI at 7pm.  Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.  She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.On Saturday Jan. 27th, come join us for a star studded fundraising ride. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819. Then there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (UAC@AVALANCHE.ORG//). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Bruce Tremper will update this advisory by 7:30 on Thursday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 25, 2007 - 7:09 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, but there are isolated areas of MODERATE danger of wet sluffs on steep, sun exposed slopes in the heat of the day.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Yep, you can put off building the arc for a few more days, as one of our observers put it.  it’s still grim out there (grim PHOTOS), and it will get grimmer for at least the next week.  How bad is it?  Here are some charts to compare this season to similar seasons in the past.  Snowbird Brighton Ben Lomond Peak Timpanogos Divide.

We are roughly similar to other low years of 87, 92 and 2003, but nothing compares to the 1976, the year all drought years are compared to, when hardly snowed at all until well into February—and that was well before anyone had ever heard of global warming. Do your own comparisons with the snowpack water equivalent map.  

 

It’s near freezing on the highest peaks with light and variable winds.  The snow is very old and worn out with wind-blasted snow above tree line and sun-baked snow and bare ground on slopes that face the south half of the compass.  On the northerly facing slopes, there is bottomless faceted snow, which is actually not bad riding conditions if you have a wide vehicle and can find some secret stash that is not already tracked up.

The only avalanche activity reported was some minor sluffing on some slopes that were getting wet in the warm sun.  Also, one of our forecasters decided to back off ascending a wet, south facing slope in Snake Creek yesterday because of collapsing into wet, faceted snow.  Otherwise, the snow is mostly stable in all areas.

– near surface facets, surface hoar and depth hoar.

8 Hrs Avoid steep slopes when they get wet and mushy in the heat of the day.

Same as it ever was but warmer.  Today will be clear and sunny once again with ridge top temperatures near freezing and winds will be light and variable.  Friday we will start a slow cooling trend down into the mid 20’s.  And yep, there’s still no significant snow on the way.  We may see a few high clouds this weekend and then the longer range models think we will get a big blast of cold air about a week from today.  But we stand a good chance of exiting January without any more snow.

On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches.  It will be at the Salt Lake REI at 7pm.  Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.  She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.

On Saturday Jan. 27th, come join us for a star studded fundraising ride. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819.                                                    

Then there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.I will update this advisory by 7:30 on Friday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 26, 2007 - 6:44 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, but there are isolated areas of MODERATE danger of wet sluffs on steep, sun exposed slopes in the heat of the day and sluffs in loose, faceted snow on steep north facing slopes.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Yesterday, we had very warm temperatures with ridge top temperatures above 30 degrees and 8,000’ temperatures into the mid 40’s.  Ridge top temperatures have dropped six degrees from yesterday morning as colder air slowly creeps in from the east.  Ridge top temperatures are 25 degrees with a 5-10 mph wind from the northwest.Snow surface are curiously similar to yesterday and the day before that and before that, and so on.  And they will be curiously similar tomorrow and they day after that and, well, OK, you get the idea.  Most of the south facing slopes have melted out to bare ground.  East and west facing slopes are crusted.  Tree line and above are wind blasted.  North facing, wind and sun-sheltered slopes are the only bright spot.  You can still find a few scraps of soft, recrystallized snow that feels like powder if you don’t know any better but slopes that were supportable a few days ago are now pig wallows where you sink to your waist in loose, faceted snow.  Plus, you have to be VERY creative and adventurous to find any slopes that are not completely tracked out.  If any of this sounds good to you, then you are a fully certified member of the Optimist Club.

 

Here are some charts to compare this season to similar seasons in the past.  Snowbird Brighton Ben Lomond Peak Timpanogos Divide.

People continued to report sluffing (PHOTOS) on some slopes that were getting wet in the warm sun.  Also, people were finding quite large sluffs in faceted snow on the steep, north facing slopes.  Both of these kinds of sluffs were large enough to strain you through trees or bury you.  24 Hrs Watch for loose sluffing on steep, north facing slopes.  Many of these sluffs are large enough to bury a person. 24 Hrs Watch for localized, wet sluffs on steep, sun exposed slopes in the heat of the day. Temperatures will continue to cool today with ridge top temperatures sinking down to the mid 20’ and 8,000’ temperatures in the mid 30’s.  Ridge top winds will remain light from the northwest.  Saturday, ridge top temperature will be in the lower 20’s.For the extended forecast, we have a weak disturbance going by to the east of us this weekend, which may give us a cloud or two, but not much more.  Then it still looks like a big blast of cold air out of central Canada for next Wednesday, which may actually give us some snow, but probably not much of it.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in the Mill Creek, Cardiff, Mineral and Cascade.  Today they will be looking hard for skiable terrain in all their permitted areas except Cascade.  They welcome any more specific questions regarding their areas of operation you can contact them at 742-2800.On Friday, January 26th, the well-known Alaska avalanche expert, Jill Fredston will give a slide show and a lecture on, Snowstruck, her new book about her career with Alaska avalanches.  It will be at the Salt Lake REI at 7pm.  Sales from her book will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.  She will also speak at Alta’s Our Lady of the Snows on Saturday night, January 27th.

On Saturday Jan. 27th, come join us for a star studded fundraising ride. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819. 

                                                     Then there will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.Finally, on February 8th, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies as a fundraiser for the UAC.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

 

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Saturday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 27, 2007 - 6:53 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, but there are isolated pockets of MODERATE danger on steep, shady slopes due to easily triggered sluffs in the loose, faceted snow.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A couple of weak storms dancing around northern Utah are bringing a few clouds and slightly cooler temperatures to the mountains this morning.   Temperatures are generally in the low 20’s this morning, and the northerly winds are light, in the 5 to 10 mph range.  If the thought of hunting through the widespread crusts on sun affected slopes or the tracked out shady slopes for a few turns in punchy facets is getting old, it may be time for a little cross training.  Hit the resorts, and ski or board the groomers till your quads burn, or rent some X-C gear, skate on a groomed track, and you may just get your best work out of the year. 

Yesterday, backcountry travelers continued to trigger dry facet sluffs on steep shady slopes and, with day time heating, a few wet loose sluffs on sunny slopes.  24 Hrs The combination of cooling temperatures and clouds should prevent any wet activity today, but on the steep, shady slopes be prepared for a loose sluff to join you on your decent.  In the right steep terrain, these sluffs are just large enough to get you into trouble – shove you off a cliff, push you down a steep slope or dump you into a gully, so don’t turn your back on them. 

A weak trough moving across the area will bring clouds, cooler temperatures and a trace of snow today.  Highs will be near freezing at 8,000’ and remain near 20 at 10,000’.  Winds will be from the north, generally in the 5 to 15 mph range, with slightly higher speeds across the most exposed terrain.  Tonight, skies will be mostly cloudy, with another few flakes of snow possible.  Then high pressure will move back in and remain…for the foreseeable future.

Our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting numerous events during the 4th Annual Backcountry Awareness Week.  It’s not too late to join today’s star studded snowmobile ride and dinner in the Uinta Mountains. Click here for more details or call 801-963-3819.  Then tonight there is a free book signing and slide show by Jill Fredston at Our Lady of the Snows at Alta at 7:00 pm.  There will be a dinner February 2nd at The Canyons with Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea, avalanche classes at the Canyons on February 3rd and 4th, and a showing of a Teton Ski Documentary on Feb 8th at Brewvies.   Details are below, or for more information.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 on Saturday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 30, 2007 - 6:42 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, with some isolated pockets of MODERATE danger on steep, shady slopes due to easily triggered sluffs in the loose, faceted snow.

 Kobernik

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Click here for today’s gratuitous (but poor) forecaster humor

Well, what can I say that hasn’t been said over the last few weeks?  I could say it’s going to dump!!  However, I’d be lying because it’s not going to happen.  Oh well, I’ll get on with business now.  Overnight temperatures were in the 15 to 20 degree range and winds were light from the west.  Believe it or not, no new snow was recorded in the last 24 hours.

People are making the best of it out there with the shallow, weak snowpack.  I hear things like “conditions are good by east coast standards” and “things could be worse”.  Well, things could be a whole lot better in my book.  Ah, how quickly we forget though.  It was only a few seasons ago during the winter of 02-03 when we had less snow on the ground at the end of January then we do now.  (GRAPH:  Jan 03 The line in the upper graph that represents total snow depth reads around 45 inches at Alta which is less then the 56 inch current total.  Jan 07

24 Hrs If you’re sifting around out there today the main thing you’ll want to watch for is sluffing on steeper slopes that have loose snow on the surface.

A couple of weak storms will affect the area today and Wednesday but won’t bring a whole lot of new snow.  Today we’ll see mostly cloudy skies with snow flurries possible.  Ridgetop temperatures will be in the mid 20s and ridgetop winds will be from the west northwest in the 5 to 10 mph range.  Wednesday brings a slightly better chance for snow with a few inches of accumulation possible.

 

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in the Sessions and Cascade.  Today, they’ll do the same weather pending.  With questions regarding their areas of operation call 742-2800.

There will be a Fundraising Dinner on Friday, February 2, 2007. The dinner will be at The Canyons and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Also, the Canyons will be offering avalanche classes on Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th.  For more information and to register, call 435-615-3325.  And finally, at 7:30 on February 8th, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies as a fundraiser for the Friends of the UAC.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
January 31, 2007 - 6:44 am   Today, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, with isolated pockets of MODERATE danger on steep slopes due to easily triggered sluffs in the loose, faceted snow.  Careful sluff management should keep you out of trouble. Today is the last day to purchase tickets for this Friday’s fundraiser dinner at The Canyons with guest speaker Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea, which our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting.  For tickets and information visit www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia A trace to an inch or two of pixie dust is coating the old snow surface this morning…not enough to change the riding conditions, but at least it improves the visuals.  But don’t sneeze before your run, or you might blow the stuff away.  Temperatures this morning are in the low to mid teens, with single digits remaining in the 11,000’ terrain.  Winds are from a northerly direction, generally in the 5 to 10 mph range, with average speeds reaching 20 to 25 mph in the most exposed terrain.

And yes, it’s true; the combination of smog and no snow does eat away your brain!

The same monotonous reports of sluffing on steep slopes came in yesterday, especially in the protected, shady mid elevation terrain.  24 Hrs Sluffing will continue on the steep shady slopes.  If we actually get 3 or more inches of snow today, steep slopes of all aspects will try to get in on the sluffing action as the new snow is landing on weak, faceted snow of some type just about everywhere.  So once again, try to stay alert, and think about the terrain you’re traveling in so you don’t get surprised and pushed off a cliff or dumped into a gully and covered.

The first of two weak, cold storm systems is pushing through northern Utah this morning.  1 to 3” of snow is possible this morning, with snowfall tapering off to showers this afternoon.  Winds will be from the north, in the 10 to 20 mph range, with slightly higher average speeds and gusts in the more exposed terrain.  Temperatures will cool into the single digits at 10,000’ and daytime highs will reach the low 20’s at 8,000’.   There will be a break tonight, with a second storm system affecting the area Thursday into Thursday night.  This one should be good for another few inches of snow and colder temperatures.  Then high pressure will move in for the weekend, with a strong warming trend next week.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly, and will not fly today due to weather.  With questions regarding their areas of operation call 742-2800.

Two other fundraisers for our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are a half day avalanche class at the Canyons this Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th. (for more information and to register, call 435-615-3325) and finally, at 7:30 on February 8th, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies.  Details are below, or for more information

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click HEREFor our classic text advisory click HERE.To sign up for automated e-mails of our graphical advisory click HEREWe appreciate any snowpack and avalanche observations you have, so please leave us a message at (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@avalanche.org. (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.I will update this advisory by 7:30 on Thursday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
svalanche advisory

Wasatch Cache National Forest
In partnership with: Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County.
?KEEPING YOU ON TOP?
AVALANCHE ADVISORY
Thursday, February 01, 2007 7:30 am
Good morning, this is Evelyn Lees with the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center with your backcountry avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Thursday, February 01, 2007 and it?s 7:30 in the morning.

avalanche.org?s server is having problems again this morning, which messes up the morning routine for a quite a few of the avy centers.

Current Conditions:
Under partly cloudy skies, a few snowflakes are falling in the mountains this morning and temperatures are in the icy single digits. Snow totals from yesterday?s little disturbance were in the 2 to 6? range, with densities of 3 to 4%. While this freshened up the slopes underlain with soft facets, it was also just enough snow to cover and hide numerous rocks and stump hazards. Statistically, January of 2007 was obviously a month to forget and we can only hope February will be better.

Snowpack and Avalanche Conditions:
And yes, it?s true; the combination of smog and no snow does eat away your brain!

Yesterday, the light winds made mischief with the few inches of snow, blowing it into soft sensitive drifts. People in the Salt Lake and Ogden mountains were able to trigger a few of these very soft drifts, 8 to 12? deep, 20 to 25? wide, on north through easterly facing slopes. These slides turned into sluffs as they ran and lacked any sort of real punch. The weak layer is the old snow surface, which is almost uniformly faceted snow of some sort, including a lot of surface hoar.

Today, with increasing winds moving more snow and an additional 3 to 6? possible by evening, expect similar sensitive sluffs and soft slabs where ever the wind has drifted the snow. The drifts will be most widespread on northeast, east and southeasterly facing slopes, but watch for crossloading and drifting at a variety of elevations and aspects. Some of the weakest old snow is on the protected, shady mid elevation terrain. Most of the new snow drifts and sluffs will be small, and easily handled by careful ski and slope cuts. But do be cautious and increasingly careful as the snow and wind increases today. Work the terrain carefully, so you don?t get surprised and pushed off a cliff or dumped into a gully and covered. The old snow surface is so weak, that a few natural soft slabs may be possible later today or tonight in heavily wind drifted areas, so avoid travel beneath steep, wind loaded slopes.

Bottom Line for the Salt Lake, Park City, Provo and Ogden area mountains:
Today, wind drifted slopes steeper than about 35 degrees have a MODERATE avalanche danger. Sluffs and shallow soft wind drifts will become increasing easy to trigger later today, especially on easterly facing slopes. Out of the wind affected terrain and on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.

Mountain Weather:
A cold storm system dropping south out of Canada will impact northern Utah today through this evening. The first band of clouds currently over the area is rapidly moving southward, and we may get a bit of a break this morning. But clouds will rapidly increase late morning, with snow developing by noon north of I-80 and by early afternoon to the south of I-80. The heaviest snowfall should be late this afternoon into this evening. 3 to 6? of snow is possible today, and another 3 to 6? again tonight, before the snow ends toward midnight. This will be very cold, low density snow, with a water equivalent of only about ½? expected. Winds will remain from the northwest today and tonight, in the 10 to 20 mph range, with gusts in the mid 20?s. Wind speeds will increase this afternoon and tonight, with 20 to 30mph averages across the highest ridges, with gusts near 50. Then high pressure will move in for the weekend, with a strong warming trend early next week.

Announcements:
Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly, and today if they can get out they will be in Cardiff, Silver, Days, Mineral and White Pine. With questions regarding their areas of operation call 742-2800.

Today is the last day to purchase tickets for this Friday?s fundraiser dinner at The Canyons with guest speaker Olympic Gold Medal Winner Jim Shea, which our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are hosting. For tickets and information visit http://www.UtahAvalancheCenter.com Two other fundraisers by our partners, the Friends of the UAC, are a half day avalanche class at the Canyons this Saturday and Sunday, February 3rd and 4th. (for more information and to register, call 435-615-3325) and finally, at 7:30 on February 8th, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies. Details are below, or for more information

Listen to the advisory. Try our new streaming audio or podcasts

UDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.
(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)

For a list of avalanche classes, click HERE

For our classic text advisory click HERE.

To sign up for automated e-mails of our graphical advisory click HERE

We appreciate any snowpack and avalanche observations you have, so please leave us a message at (801) 524-5304 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@avalanche.org. (Fax 801-524-6301)

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

Bruce Tremper will update this advisory by 7:30 on Friday morning, and thanks for calling.


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February 3, 2007 - 7:15 am   Today, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on any slope steeper than about 35 degrees with recent drifts of wind blown snow.  These drifts may be deeper, denser and more widespread than yesterday, so approach any steep slope with caution, being very careful to identify and avoid drifts.  On non-wind affected terrain and on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees, the avalanche danger is generally LOW, but watch for sluffing of the new snow on sunny slopes as the day heats up.  We’d like to give a big thanks to Jim Shea and the Canyons for their awesome support at last night’s fund raiser.

Evelyn Lees

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia The Thursday storm produced a welcome 5 to 7” of fresh snow, and a combination of wind and particle size made the snow pleasantly thick and creamy despite its low density.  Temperatures are in the single digits along the ridgelines this morning, and in the teens at mid elevations.  The winds have kicked it up a notch since yesterday, and are blowing steadily from a northwesterly direction in the 15 to 25 mph range, with gusts in the 40’s.  Across the highest peaks, they’re blasting with 40 to 55 mph averages and gusts in the 60’s, 70‘s and 80’s.  Riding conditions are much improved, especially out of the wind and on slopes with a smoother old surface, but don’t let the fresh, smooth surface trick you.  The same rocks, stumps and old tracks you’ve been dodging the past few weeks are still lurking just below the surface.

There was a variety of avalanche activity yesterday, all relating to fresh wind drifts.  There were a few small naturals and cornice cutting and slope cuts produced good results. The slides were shallow, pockety wind drifts, 8-15" deep and 20' - 60' wide.  A few broke back up onto the ridgelines further than expected, and one was triggered remotely, mid slope. There was one report of a sluff gouging into old facets, on a wind sheltered slope.

24 Hrs Today, I expect more of the same activity.  With the winds blowing at a good speed for drifting snow all night, the wind drifts will stay active and easily triggered today. The drifts will be a bit deeper, wider, denser, and more widespread today.  They are definitely big enough to tug on you, and even catch you and take you for a ride in steep terrain.  While you can find these drifts on a variety of aspects and mid slope, they will be most widespread on slopes having an easterly component and along the ridgelines.  With the continued winds, a few more small, spontaneous soft slabs may run, so avoid travel directly below steep, wind loaded slopes.  Warming and direct sun may increase the sensitivity of the new snow on steep sunny slopes this afternoon that can be handled with careful slope cuts out of wind drifted areas.

High pressure is settling in for the weekend, bringing clear skies and rapidly warming temperatures. Highs today will reach the low 30’s at 8,000’ and upper 20’s at 10,000’.  The northwesterly winds will stay obnoxiously strong along the highest peaks, continuing with their 40 to 55 mph averages with gusts to 80.  Wind speeds will be significantly lower along most of the ridges, in the 15 to 25 mph range, with gusts in the 30’s.  Sunday’s weather will be clear and warm, with light winds.   

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides did not fly, and they probably won’t get out today due to wind, but if they do they’ll be in Cardiff, Silver, Days, Mineral, Grizzly, American Fork, Snake Creek, and White Pine.  With questions regarding their areas of operation call 742-2800.

On February 8th at 7:30, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies.  Details are below, or click here for more information

Sad news:  Thursday, Ed LaChapelle, considered the grandfather of American avalanche research, died while attending the memorial service of his ex-wife and good friend, Delores LaChapelle in Silverton, Colorado.  He died while skiing.  Ed did most all of his pioneering avalanche research at Alta from the early 1950’s until the early 1970’s.  He will be missed.

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work information can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our new, state wide tollfree hotline is 1-888-999-4019.(For early morning detailed avalanche activity report hit option 8)For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Drew Hardesty will update this advisory by 7:30 on Sunday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
February 6, 2007 - 6:55 am   Today, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on any slope steeper than about 35 degrees with recent drifts of wind blown snow.  Steep north through southeast facing slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow should be avoided.  Southerly facing slopes need to be monitored closely for heat related activity as well as all aspects at lower elevations.

Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia Yesterday, Mother Nature decided to add “damp and manky” to our expanding array of variable snow conditions.  I say, thank you Mother Nature for reminding us how good we usually have it here in the Wasatch but, we were getting the hint a number of weeks ago already.  Temperatures maxed out around 50 degrees at some 9000 foot locations yesterday.  They cooled slightly in the afternoon but have been on the rise again since around 4pm yesterday and are near 40 at elevations as high as 11,000 feet.  Winds picked up slightly but are only in the 5 to 15 mph range from the west southwest.

Collapsing of the recent wind slabs continued yesterday.  There was one significant avalanche triggered from a slope cut yesterday by some snow safety workers near the Canyons ski resort.  (PHOTOS)  They were in the area to look at some avalanche activity from the previous day when they were able to get the adjacent slope to release.  The slide was around 200 feet wide and up to 19 inches deep on an east northeast facing slope at around 9400 feet.  The culprit was once again a wind slab over weak faceted snow which has formed throughout this season but surface hoar was also noted in portions of the bed surface.  Skiers in Big Springs were able to get a hard slab to release with some coaxing that was 6 to 18 inches deep, 40 feet wide and ran about 400 feet vertical.  While the temperatures did skyrocket yesterday wet avalanche activity was somewhat limited. 

24 Hrs Since the recent wind slabs are sitting on a persistent weak layer, you can expect collapsing and the potential for avalanching to continue.  As the days progress it will be harder to trigger some of these but there’s no doubt that you can still find a spot that will avalanche.  You’ll mainly find these above around 8500 or 9000 feet on north through southeast facing aspects but I did have a drift collapse on a west facing aspect yesterday so don’t let your guard down.

24 Hrs The very warm temperatures yesterday as well as overnight demand we keep in mind that this can contribute to snow instability.  Damp snow on the surface and “rollerballing” are signs that the snow is becoming unstable.  Also keep in mind that the surface may not be especially wet but the warm temperatures may have weakened the structure of the snow enough to produce a slab avalanche.  Lots of faceted snow this year adds suspicion.  Avalanching from warming is most likely on southerly facing slopes at the higher elevations and all aspects down low.

Today we’ll see partly cloudy skies with mild temperatures and westerly winds in the 5 to 15 mph range along most of the ridges.  Temperatures won’t warm a whole lot more but will remain in the 30s at the higher elevations and in the 40s at 8000 feet.  A moist westerly flow is still scheduled to affect us through the weekend with the first impulse on Wednesday which has only a slight chance of measurable snow with it.  The next few impulses after that have a better chance to produce snow.

Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides were in AF and the Cascade Ridgeline and won’t fly today.  With questions regarding their areas of operation call 742-2800.

On February 8th at 7:30, there will be a Teton Skiing documentary at Brewvies. 

Listen to the advisory.  Try our new streaming audio or podcastsUDOT highway avalanche control work info can be found HERE or by calling (801) 975-4838.

Our statewide tollfree line is 1-888-999-4019 (early morning, option 8).For a list of avalanche classes, click uac@avalanche.org (uac@avalanche.org). (Fax 801-524-6301)The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.Evelyn Lees will update this advisory by 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and thanks for calling.

This advisory provided by the Wasatch Cache National Forest, in partnership with: 
Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Salt Lake County

DISCLAIMER: Above is information on each factor affecting todays' danger rating. All factors must be considered to develop a backcountry travel plan that will reduce your risk.
 


The post was created using an automated process maintained by First Tracks! Online.
 
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