UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Ben Lomond

Observation Date
12/3/2018
Observer Name
Bill Brandt
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond Peak, Bailey Cabin
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold windy weather on the ridge to Ben Lomond with milder weather at lower elevations. Snowing most of the day after 10 am, quite heavily at times with lots of graupel. The sky began to clear about 4 pm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft powder surface snow mixed with graupel. There was a density change 15cm from the surface and a grauple layer at 30 cm. Excellent skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Cracking from skin track on the way up above Skyline summer trail. No collapsing. Moderate winds above 8600 ft.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
New snow soft slabs were naturally releasing and cornices were building and collapsing. Some of these were perhaps called big sluffs running 150-200 yards in Bailey Cabin area.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
38°
Comments
Dug a snowpit on a NE slope at 9000 ft. HS130 cm, ECT1at 15 cm and ECT6 at 30cm Q2 NP. Very little October snow on the ground which seemed to be of no concern for persistent deep weak layers.
Video
Photos.
1. Cracking.
2. Natural cornice collapses.
3. Human assisted cornice drops.
Video.
1. ECTNP 1 and 6.
Mostly moderate hazzard conditions at mid elevations in the Ogden area. Low below weather station and considerable on the NE face of Ben Lomond Peak.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates