Observation: Ben Lomond 1/9/2012

Observer Name:

Adam Fabrikant and Tyler Falk

Region:

Ogden
Ben Lomond

Observation Date:

01/09/2012

Location or Route:

Ben Lommand Peak, Ogden Area, East aspect, 8300'

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Weather Comments:

Clear, Calm and Sunny. The were prominent winds from the Northwest the night before leaving some visible drifts on North, East and North east facing slopes. There was a nice layer of rime on the top 200' of Ben Lomond, I enjoyed this as it made the peak feel a wee bit more scottish!

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

We encountered all types of snow conditions from facets top to bottom, strastrugi, wind slabs that were hollow, no snow at 8700' on a west facing slope and everything else under the sun besides powder.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Red Flag Comments:

While skinning at a slope of 24 degrees on a East aspect at 8300' I saw a wind loaded slope that had flat terrain below it. I decided to give a few jumps to see if the slope would collapse. After two jumps I felt and heard the slope collapse. Afterwards we decided to dig around to see if we could pinpoint the collapse.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Wind slabs were clearly present and were easily avoided by skiing the strastrugi facets which was actually the better snow.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Loose Snow/Sluffing

Probability:

High

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

Loose snow facet sluffs on steeper terrain was occurring. It was easy to anticipate in the shallow sugary snow.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Overall variable conditions with the potential for nasty slides when there is more snow, same as usual up here. The attached photo shows the surface hoar on the top, 6cm of new snow on top of two separate pencil hard layers. I assume on is from the rain event and another is a sun or wind crust. The collapse occurred between these two layers. With a large bed of facets below the poor structure is apparent, but just like any many other areas in the Wasatch right now there is not enough energy present to the collapsing to cause an avalanche, yet.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable