Background Years when the US averages 25 to 30 avalanche fatalities in a season, the particulars of each accident blur. However, in the winter of 2016-2017, when there were 12 avalanche fatalities, some interesting details stood out. One was the percentage of solo recreationists getting killed; the other was the relative number of people who were going uphill at the time of their accidents. The risk of backcountry incidents and fatalities while descending is well known, and is often a main focus of avalanche training and education. However, the risk while proceeding …

We need to practice Companion Rescue techniques often, and with all our backcountry partners. With a persistent high pressure and shallow snow in the Utah mountains, now is a good time to do this. You can practice anywhere. All you need is your gear, a partner or two, and enough snow to bury a pack. For more information and to learn directly from the experts, go to our our Classes and Workshops page for listing of our Companion Rescue Fundamentals classes.....HERE

[This blog entry is provided by pro UAC observer Tyler Falk. Tyler presented this work at the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop on November 4, and it is also scheduled for publication in the December issue of "Avalanche Review" which is published by the American Avalanche Association.] Adjusting to a DifferentSnowpackClimate The 2016/2017 winter season in the Salt Lake area mountains will be remembered by many to have felt overall warmer and wetter than normal. Some might even call it coastal, based on our weather and avalanche activity. I recently looked at all the …

Attach File: 2017-October-Newsletter.pdf

Week in Review [April 8 - 14] A storm system entered the region this past weekend, with warm temperatures and a high rain/snow line on Saturday April 8th. A cold front with an ample moisture supply late Saturday night and well into the day on Sunday provided nearly 18-24" in the Cottonwoods and Ogden mountains, with 8-15" along the Park City ridgeline. The Provo mountains recorded 3-6". Limited avalanche activity was reported with this storm, with a few slides breaking at a graupel interface of the old snow surface, or within a density inversion within the storm snow: …

On Thursday March 30 the central Wasatch received about 6" of storm snow. On Friday March 31, sun and greenhousing crusted all aspects and elevations, with the exception being northerly aspects above 10,500'. A round of significant wet activity occurred by mid-afternoon Friday: Saturday brought a clear and warm day, and another round of loose, wet activity followed as the northeast winds began to relax. On Sunday, a weak storm system deposited 1-4" at the upper elevations which improved riding conditions. Monday through Thursday was highlighted by cool …

This past week has been highlighted by the see-sawing of storm and bluebird days, with avalanche activity ranging from storm and wind slabs during stormy periods, to predictable wet activity on sunny days. A weak storm on Saturday delivered 4-6" by late in the day in the central Wasatch. Sunday started cool & clear, but the strong March sun brought the usual round of shallow wet loose activity by mid-day. Monday was a classic March storm, with snow totals ranging from 6-13" during the day. A particular highlight was Alta recording 7" of snow from noon - 1 pm. …