Observation Date
1/1/2023
Observer Name
W Ambler and J Noteboom
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge, 6800'
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Light to moderate snowfall all day. Never really nuking but enough to keep us damp and stoked. The air was pretty warm by the TH but seemed to cool off a bit as the day went on. Overall very pleasant conditions for skiing.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Below 7000ish the snow was somewhat heavy and damp. Still light enough for some very pleasurable riding. Snow got heavier as we descended.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
See Avalanche:Rodeo Ridge
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Soggy and healing but not strong. We also had activity in our pit on a layer of loose graupel from a previous storm.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There's a good bit of heavy new snow, even at the TH. ~ 4 inches of moist new snow was resting on the truck when we returned to the TH.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
6,800'
Slope Angle
21°
Comments
The entire snowpack was saturated with water. Early mf metamorphism seemed to be in effect. The facets were rounding and wet enough one could use it to craft a solid snowball. Pictured below is Josh testing the structural integrity of the facet balls. They juggled better than they supported an isolated column.
pictured below are aforementioned facets and below that some very soggy snow refrozen to tree branches.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
