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Avalanche: Cutler Ridge

Observer Name
Doug Wewer
Observation Date
Monday, December 31, 2012
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Elevation
7,500'
Aspect
East
Slope Angle
Unknown
Trigger
Natural
Trigger: additional info
Cornice Triggered
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Weak Layer
New Snow
Depth
2'
Width
50'
Vertical
100'
Comments

We came across this small slide on our exit from Cutler Ridge. It kind of surprised us. There were no visible tracks entering or leaving the debris, so I assume it released naturally from a cornice fall. I suspect it was overloaded by the same winds on Saturday afternoon that affected some other areas of the Ogden Mountains.

Other than this slide, there were no other signs on instability. We did not travel through other areas that had received significant wind loading.

The snow surface is facetting on all aspects with the continued cold temperatures. Recent surface hoar was observed at lower elevations, growing on tree and bush branches.

Coordinates