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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
2/13/2013
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Cutler ridge to 8500 ft.
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
no wind below 7800 ft. gusting quite stron above that from the W,NW. A lot of snow was being transported on the open east and souteast slopes
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

There is about 8 inches of new snow from the weekend up at 8500 ft. Today it is being blown around above 7800ft. But excellent skiing on the sheltered higher slopes and on alomost any aspect below 7500ft. I skied dry snow on an open east slope at 6500ft. There is 5 inches of nice settled dry powder at 6000 ft. up here.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
As mentioned a bunch of wind loading above 7800ft on east and south east slopes. Otherwise I saw no red flags or avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

At 8000ft. I found buried surface hoar on top of a firm wind crust down 22 inches. Did not propagate on ECT but did come out as a nice slab on shear test. The photo shows the slab turned upside down to show the surface hoar. Deeper down (50 inches at 8500ft) is the large faceted layer, still no propagation but there all the same

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

new wind slab forming