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Avalanche: Ben Lomond

Observer Name
Lee Fortin
Observation Date
Friday, December 24, 2010
Avalanche Date
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond
Location Name or Route
Main Ben Lomond ridge line, East facing
Elevation
8,100'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Natural
Trigger: additional info
Repeater
Avalanche Type
Hard Slab
Weak Layer
New Snow/Old Snow Interface
Depth
9"
Width
125'
Vertical
175'
Comments

Observed the normal expected avalanches on the main ridge line of the Ben Lomond area from this type of storm cycle. Counted about six from our view point on Rodeo Ridge looking west. They looked like they happen towards the end of the last pulse of energy from the storm. We dug a pit at about the same mid elevation of the observed avalanches.

Pit test: Elevation 8000 ft, 60 Degrees on the compass, slop anlge 34 degrees, Total snow depth 230cm, Pit Depth 81cm, With the following results. CT7Q2 failing on the snow interface from the last storm pulse. ECT9NPQ2 failing on the same. I didn't get any other failure further down in the snow pack. This is what I believe the avalanches in question failed on. Their is a 8cm thick melt freeze crust about 44cm down from the snow surface that should cause some concern later. Also their is surface hoar forming on the east and north aspects.

Coordinates