Utah Avalanche Center
New member
December 31, 2006 - 7:21 am Most terrain across the Wasatch has a LOW danger today. Pockets of MODERATE remain on west through north through east facing terrain above about 9500’. Anticipate some wet activity during the midday on the sun-exposed slopes.
I’d like to say THANK YOU to our Friends, Bob Athey, the rest of our professional observers and the backcountry community-at-large for calling in their snow, weather, and avalanche observations to us. We couldn’t do it with out you.
Drew Hardesty
Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia It’s looking like 2006 will go out like a lame. I mean lamb. The ridge of high pressure will break down today to allow a system to dive south, and the ridge will redevelop over the intermountain west. Skies are clear this morning with temps in the mid twenties along the ridges, and down into the single digits in the basins and valleys. Winds are generally less than 20mph from the west northwest. Riding conditions are fair on the sheltered slopes. It’ll be like watching paint dry, but with the low level stratus, you can almost watch the surface hoar grow in the mid and low elevations.
We received reports of four human triggered slides in the backcountry, which really could best be described as pockety. Two were in the sub-drainages of Days Fork of Big Cottonwood canyon and were less than a foot deep and 50’ wide on steep north to northeast facing slopes above 9500’ (photo). Another skier triggered a couple 3-5” wind skins in upper Butler Basin near Gobbler’s Knob on similar aspects and elevations. 24 Hrs Some are breaking on recrystallized snow, others on the settled snow from last week. These slides are not widespread nor are they breaking out wide and entraining a lot of snow, but are worth considering when consequences play a role. These will play as reminders to move independently through steep terrain, jump on test slopes, and throw in a ski-check for cheap insurance. It’s a mixed bag of weaknesses in the upper, mid, and basement portions of the snowpack (see profiles). Remain alert for cracking and collapsing in wind-affected areas and realize that a few booby-traps exist.
It’ll be about a repeat of yesterday with clear skies, light westerly winds and mountain temps near 30 at 10,000’ and the upper 30’s at 8000’. The only thing to show for the splitting system tonight and will be a drop in temps, a wind shift to the north, and a few clouds. The ridge redevelops on Tuesday with a storm slated for the end of the week. I’d like to thank our longtime partner Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort for hosting Friday night’s amazing fundraising dinner and film producer David Breashears for sharing his spectacular new Everest Expedition film. A portion of the proceeds will help the avalanche center.
Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, AF, and the Cascade Ridgeline. Today, they’ll return to AF and Provo with a possible home run out 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.I will update this advisory by 7:30 on Monday 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.
I’d like to say THANK YOU to our Friends, Bob Athey, the rest of our professional observers and the backcountry community-at-large for calling in their snow, weather, and avalanche observations to us. We couldn’t do it with out you.
Drew Hardesty
Links: Avalanche List Photos Profile List Weather Links Encyclopedia It’s looking like 2006 will go out like a lame. I mean lamb. The ridge of high pressure will break down today to allow a system to dive south, and the ridge will redevelop over the intermountain west. Skies are clear this morning with temps in the mid twenties along the ridges, and down into the single digits in the basins and valleys. Winds are generally less than 20mph from the west northwest. Riding conditions are fair on the sheltered slopes. It’ll be like watching paint dry, but with the low level stratus, you can almost watch the surface hoar grow in the mid and low elevations.
We received reports of four human triggered slides in the backcountry, which really could best be described as pockety. Two were in the sub-drainages of Days Fork of Big Cottonwood canyon and were less than a foot deep and 50’ wide on steep north to northeast facing slopes above 9500’ (photo). Another skier triggered a couple 3-5” wind skins in upper Butler Basin near Gobbler’s Knob on similar aspects and elevations. 24 Hrs Some are breaking on recrystallized snow, others on the settled snow from last week. These slides are not widespread nor are they breaking out wide and entraining a lot of snow, but are worth considering when consequences play a role. These will play as reminders to move independently through steep terrain, jump on test slopes, and throw in a ski-check for cheap insurance. It’s a mixed bag of weaknesses in the upper, mid, and basement portions of the snowpack (see profiles). Remain alert for cracking and collapsing in wind-affected areas and realize that a few booby-traps exist.
It’ll be about a repeat of yesterday with clear skies, light westerly winds and mountain temps near 30 at 10,000’ and the upper 30’s at 8000’. The only thing to show for the splitting system tonight and will be a drop in temps, a wind shift to the north, and a few clouds. The ridge redevelops on Tuesday with a storm slated for the end of the week. I’d like to thank our longtime partner Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort for hosting Friday night’s amazing fundraising dinner and film producer David Breashears for sharing his spectacular new Everest Expedition film. A portion of the proceeds will help the avalanche center.
Yesterday, the Wasatch Powderbird Guides flew in Cardiff, Mineral, Days, AF, and the Cascade Ridgeline. Today, they’ll return to AF and Provo with a possible home run out 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.I will update this advisory by 7:30 on Monday 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.