Observation Date
3/15/2025
Observer Name
Ryan Huels
Region
Moab » Gold Basin » The Funnel
Location Name or Route
The Funnel
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Overcast the majority of the day with on and off snowfall. The sun made brief appearances but there was cloud cover the majority of the day. Solar aspects did not seem to warm during the afternoon while I was out. Wind was moderate out of the NW during the entire day and increased in intensity in the late afternoon loading S-SE-E facing slopes primarily. A sunny and breezy day tomorrow with wind out of the SW ahead of another storm system that brings snow Monday night through Tuesday night.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Around a foot of right side up medium to light density snow. Snow was excellent and was skiing/riding deeper in the trees and on SE aspects that were being heavily wind loaded. Solar aspects had a crust below the storm slab but it was unnoticeable in turning. There was cloud cover the majority of the day and solar aspects did not become wet or saturated and should remain soft tomorrow morning.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
PWL still present in West facing snow pit and on NW-N-NE-E facing aspects. I saw evidence of loose slides/wind slabs on steep northerlies in Gold Basin. Around a foot total from the storm and a variety of terrain aspects have been loaded by the wind with SW winds on Friday and NW winds today. Wind shift to SW tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
12" of medium/light density, right side up, snow. Watching for loose slides on steep solar aspects and wind slabs on leeward slopes of N and S westerly winds.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
PWL present in my pit on a West facing aspect along with on the northern side of the compass. ECTP23 at 75cm. I'm continuing to stay off steep north facing slopes and avoiding West + East facing slopes >30 degrees.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
11,300'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Pit at 11300' on a West facing slope. ECTP23 at 75cm from a dense slab sitting on top of weak, fist hard snow. ECTN15 below the storm slab did not propagate. Depth hoar still present at the base of the snowpack. Caution on slopes W-NW-N-NE-E.
Folks getting after it in the gut of The Funnel and West facing terrain to exercise caution on.
Loose slides on steep north east aspects and intermittent sun in Gold Basin
Wind transport onto SE facing slopes and periods of moderate snowfall in the late afternoon.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Snow Pilot URL
