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Observation: Ogden Mountains

Observation Date
12/14/2018
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » Ogden Mountains
Location Name or Route
ogden mts. to 8000ft.
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
skied Thursday and Friday with calm winds
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Dense but soft settled powder, windblown on the ridges. I found nice skiing in the sheltered trees with surface hoar from last night that was not there on Thursday's tour. Fast skiing on low angle love!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The windslab is stubborn to move at present
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
There was less wind slab on the lee side of the ridges than I expected and very stubborn to move.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments
Below 8000ft. we had no October snow and I could not find any facets or concerning layers. The snowpack seems very stable with the possible exception of stubborn windslab on the ridges and surface hoar forming in sheltered areas. In places I found a thin graupel layer at 20 cm down that would fail but not propagate with ECT 17. Video shows it coming out with a shovel shear. Does not appear to be a player at present.
Video
photos of wind scoured ridges
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low