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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/31/2014
Observer Name
Korydavis
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful day. Started off broken/scattered than got sunier as the day went on. Fog hanging down over the reservoir.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Below 6,700 feet there is about 3" on top of a breakable rain crust with facets underneath and in some places no snow underneath. From 6,700 feet to about 7,600 feet there is a firmer but not rain crust from the heavy snow that fell late Wednesday night. Skiing conditions are variable but supportable except in some patchy facet sinks that will catch you. ECTN13 and an ECTN14 (videos to follow.) on a NNE Aspect around 7,850. CT 13 also with a Q1 shear. The failure was about 17cm down from surface under the rime from 1/10 or 1/11 2014 There are 1-2mm facets under the old rime crust. These are sudden planner failures. Under the 1/11 rime there is 25 cms of fist snow with the older 12/23 (Solstice) rime underneath at about 50 cm down. Then 4f.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No Avalanches observed anywhere on the ridgeline or up in the cirque.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

I think that the facets under the 1/11 rime and maybe the facet sandwich that has formed on the 12/23 rime are our weakest layers.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Lots of wind effect from the frontal passage on Wednesday night 1/29/2014 gust on Mt. Ogden around 100

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
15°
Comments

ECTN13 and 14 on this rime layer. Also CT 13

Video

PST 35/100 End down 50cm under 12/23 rime

Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates