Observation: Moab

Observation Date

3/23/2025

Observer Name

Chris Benson

Region

Moab

Location Name or Route

Mt. Tuk

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Cold winds keep things cold up high until 12pm or so.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was variable in depth, texture and strength. Up high, On SE, the snow still felt cold and dry, albeit a bit wind affected. On SW, there was a firm surface that was becoming soft by 1pm.

Believe it or not- the snow skied quite well in the first 2,000' of Tuklear. It seemed to be corn-like; firm but soft, predictable, and easy to turn and hold an edge. The bottom 1,000' was starting to get very punchy and even some roller balls.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Got some test results on an obviously wind loaded slope. Decided to shift aspects. Snow felt quite strong underfoot and couldn't feel any facets on southerlies, just dealing with some old wind slab. BTL, I noticed long shooting cracks on North aspects above snowmobile tracks. Much of the snow on the north aspects in the alpine has been stripped away, SE aspects look the fattest at this point in time. Could still see facets while booting up the East Ridge of Tuk.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

I think the temps will make the snow grumpy and more punchy- possible making it easier to trigger a p slab in the next few days.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Observed an ECTP and CT failures on what looked like a layer of graupel about 1' down. The ridge up to the summit was very featured and had deep snow- more than I can remember. Its clear that this SE aspect has been loaded in the last couple of weeks. The snow felt quite strong, but I am glad I dug a pit to check it out a little more. Seems like this should become better bonded after this week's temperatures bake the snow.

Towards the end of the day- lower elevations were very moist/ even wet in the upper 10 cm of the snow. Lots of glop! Looking at wet snow problems mon/tues.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Southeast

Elevation

12,200'

Slope Angle

33°