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Observation: Mt Ogden

Observation Date
4/7/2020
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin » Mt Ogden
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin, Mount Ogden
Weather
Weather Comments
A few clouds in the sky but otherwise sunny and fairly warm this morning. Winds calm down low, but noticeable starting around 8500 feet, becoming consistently moderate with the occasional stronger gust once at the ridgeline, ca. 9000 feet and above.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Despite air temps above freezing at the base and a relatively high freezing line, the snow surface was frozen and supportive this morning before 0700am. However, this changed fairly quickly as the sun came up and began warming things up. There was still a bit of softish surface snow up high, but it was minimal and wind affected. To that end, very shallow wind pockets were present at the upper elevations, but I did not find anything particularly concerning today. Sun exposed slopes yielded corn by mid-morning.
Comments
The remains of recent loose wet activity were visible this morning in a number of locations, mostly at the upper elevations along the ridgeline, but also in a few mid-elevation spots with southerly and westerly aspects. With continued warm temps and sun in the forecast, loose wet avalanches should be in the back of any backcountry traveler's mind. Pictured here are a few on the south end of Mount Ogden.
Cornices exist nearly everywhere along the Snowbasin ridgeline--DeMoisy, Middle Bowl, Needles, Porky's, the Flank, Mount Ogden, etc. They demand respect, particularly as some of the larger ones are better than 6 feet tall. If we do happen to pick up additional appreciable snowfall, it's a safe bet that where there are cornices, there will likely be wind slabs nearby. Pictured here are cornices above the Needles lift and lodge.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None