Observer Name
Little, Hardesty
Observation Date
Monday, December 4, 2023
Avalanche Date
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler
Elevation
8,300'
Aspect
Northwest
Slope Angle
36°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
2.5'
Width
150'
Vertical
90'
Snow Profile Comments
Diurnal near surface facet layer 25-30cm was the weak layer in the avalanche, which did not step down to the basal facets. Crown profile below.
Comments
We found this natural avalanche (HS-N-D1.5-R1.5) on a northwest aspect at 8300' in the Ogden area mountains. It appears to have failed on a diurnal near surface facet layer 25-30cm above the ground. The slope was heavily loaded by wind and the avalanche likely occurred sometime during the day on 12/3/23, but we are not certain about the time. Test pit results in the crown profile revealed propagation to end within the basal facet layer in a PST, but were relatively unremarakable. See Hardesty ob for other details on the conditions of the day.
Coordinates