Avalanche: Cutler Ridge

Observer Name
Derek DeBruin, Ben Bauter
Observation Date
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Elevation
7,100'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Skier
Trigger: additional info
Unintentionally Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
Density Change
Depth
18"
Width
50'
Vertical
70'
Comments
While skinning from the base of Indicator Hill to the top of the Birthday Bowls, one member of our party caused a crack to propagate and slide while stomping in the platform on a kick turn. We were switchbacking a small ridge to attain lower angle terrain that would allow us to traverse to the Birthday Bowls, and it was telling just how close we were coming to the change in angle. The slope we were skinning was approximately 25 degrees steep; the slide released just left of our skin track where the angle steepened to perhaps 30 degrees. The slab was again 4F wind pack on top of the F new snow from the Christmas storm. Crown depth varied from 30 to 60cm, averaging about 45cm.
Coordinates