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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, December 3, 2023
There's still not enough snow for off trail riding and sliding but it may be possible to trigger an avalanche on steep, northerly aspects where slabs of wind drifted snow overly weak, pre-existing snow. These areas are extremely difficult to access at this time but if a slope looks like it has enough snow to ride, it has enough to slide. Suspect the deepest snow areas on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features. Even a small avalanche triggered could take you for a very bumpy ride.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
The Geyser Pass Road is plowed to the winter trailhead. The surface is packed snow over dirt. AWD recommended.
The 5th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is December 3-10. The week's goal is to save lives through activities that promote avalanche awareness, education, and safety. We have a variety of events around the state. In Moab that means:
Free Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Presentation Thursday, December 7, at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC), 111 E 100 N at 6:00 p.m.
Our 2nd annual Ski Wax/Pray For Snow Benefit Party Saturday, December 9, also at the MARC. It was a real blast last year so mark your calendars. For tickets and information click here
Weather and Snow
General Conditions
The mountains picked up 6" on Friday, Dec 1, bringing the base depth up to 20" in Gold Basin. About a foot of snow is on the ground at the Geyser Pass winter trailhead. Season snowfall total is 29". The bottom line is that we are still a storm or two away from having enough coverage for real turning and riding off the roads. Unfortunately, it looks like another warm, dry week ahead. The good news is that the mountains are white, and there is enough snow on the road above the trailhead to slide around on. Gavin Harrison has been grooming over the pass so the road is in great shape for cross country skiing. Remember that the road is technically open until Dec 15, so if people try to drive on it, they are allowed to do so even if getting stuck is a certainty.
We took a trip into Gold Basin on Saturday and it was mostly a skins on tour both directions. We made a few wiggles down a grassy apron but I wouldn't recommend seeking out that sort of thing just yet.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')
Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')
NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Several inches of pre-existing snow has turned to weak, sugary facets at the base of the snowpack on northerly aspects. Time will tell how big of a problem this becomes, but we'll be keeping an eye on it. For now, it's only a concern in upper elevation, northerly facing terrain where winds have drifted slabs over top. Most of the areas where you would encounter a problem are difficult to access because of the low coverage, but if you find yourself in the upper elevations, remember that if it has enough snow to ride, it has enough snow to slide. Suspect the deepest snow areas on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features. Even a small avalanche triggered could take you for a very bumpy ride.
Additional Information
It’s never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:
1-Sign up for an avalanche class.
2-Take a free online avalanche course the UAC built for Know Before You Go or other courses listed on the KBYG website (Develop skills -> Online Learning).
3-Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version.
General Announcements
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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