Observer Name
Hunter Iverson
Observation Date
Monday, February 15, 2021
Avalanche Date
Monday, February 15, 2021
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Elevation
7,800'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Skier
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
16"
Width
20'
Comments
Intentionally triggered this wind slab on a NNE aspect at 7,750'. It ended up breaking about 20' wide, mostly out in front of me. I stayed put and watched it slide 30 feet downhill. Deepest portion on the crown was about 16", with a lot of variation across due to the wind drifts.
It broke as I was taking photos, so the first photo is the slab starting to slide on the bed surface. The second photo is the same slope just seconds after. Third photo is in the same location, looking downhill. Fourth photo is a crack 3' above the crown. Last photo is the slope prior to the slide, with the slide initiating in the upper bushes on the right.
I would have stayed around to collect more information but weather was starting to get gnarly with heavy S winds and new snow. We continued to notice significant cracking in the new and wind snow throughout our skin up. All that newly deposited snow really wanted to hold tight for a ride had gravity given it a chance.. I'll be sticking to the low angle per usual this season.
Coordinates