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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
12/29/2014
Observer Name
Tim Beaman
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge to South shoulder Ben Lomond
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pleasant temperature and light wind was wonderful for skinning; so pleasant at the ridgeline that it was (almost) a shame that we had to ski down.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Excellent powder conditions, very little sloughing of the light snow on steeper terrain; still feeling the slick rain crust beneath on some turns.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Abundant evidence of cross-wind loading on higher elevation slopes (above 8500'). A test profile on a NW slope at around 8000' showed the snowpack structure to be a lasagne-style mixture of five or so old crusts sandwiching layers of mixed forms that seem to be gaining density. Stability tests showed a PWL at about 30-45 cm above the ground which seems unlikely to become active until more weight is added by future storms.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs and poor snowpack structure at he higher elevations; avalanche danger rating in these areas considerable; lower and mid elevations slopes - moderate.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
8,000'
Slope Angle
32°
Comments

Test profile location: 41 22 31 N, 111 56 49 W

Dead Tree knob above upper weather station on Cutler Ridge

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