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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/12/2018
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge to Ogden Skyline
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
A few occasional gusts; seemed most of the wind was overnight.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Skiff at the trailhead to perhaps 2" of small grained graupel up high. The only game in town is above about 8000' but travel was fast on supportable (bulletproof?) rain crust from the early week storm. A thin rime crust coats most surfaces above ~8200'. Some may want ski crampons, axes or whippet ski poles if uncomfortable traveling on slick surfaces.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Recent avalanches were with the storm earlier in the week likely Tuesday. Encounted no cracking or collapsing today; only poor structure above 8300' or so.............Noted the entire Ben Lomond to Willard Peak headwall naturalled (Tuesday?). Ob posted.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

Poor structure above, conservatively, 8300' on shady aspects. Below this elevation, a 10-15cm thick rain crusts caps either damp snow or something more hollow (older facets) or rounding facets.

ECTP 17,21,25 on facets a few cm above the glacial ice layer. HS-75-100cm @8500'.

Comments

Snow depth at 7000' - 40cm with 8cm rain crust cap.

Snow depth at 8000' - 55cm with 14cm rain crust cap.

Snow depths at 8600' - 75-100cm; thin 1cm crust down a few cms with new rime crust.

Rain crusts well depicted below. Agree with DeBruin, et al - https://utahavalanchecenter.org/observations/35297 from Thursday's obsevation that we may have a new ground level to work with at least up to 8200', give or take.

Really cool riming and deposition along the higher elevations. See pics below -

Danger rating somewhere between "scary Moderate" and "Considerable".

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