Observation Date
1/3/2019
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Comments
Overall solid snowpack found in Cutler Ridge zone of Ben Lomond. Some thoughts:
- Wind drifts from recent wind events unreactive to ski cuts and other stability tests.
- In areas with HS > 90 cms snowpack is strong and stable with a 1F slab
- In thinner snowpack areas faceting is occurring throughout the pack, especially in lower elevations.
- Weakest snow is right at the surface where the storm snow from this past weekend has turned to facets and surface hoar. This layer is 5-15 cms and is quite weak. In some instances, this layer is on top of a hard wind slab which may provide a bed surface for avalanching.
- Some wet loose sluffing mid-day off of south-facing Willard Peak
- Concerns going forward are (1) weak snow at the surface, (2) weak snow throughout the snowpack in areas with a thinner snowpack.
Photos of surface hoar as well as wet loose off of south facing Willard Peak
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low