Observation: North Ogden Divide

Observation Date
1/7/2019
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » North Ogden Canyon » North Ogden Divide
Location Name or Route
area of north ogden divide
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
22"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Miserable trail breaking and upside down storm in this area. Punchy surface that made me glad I was not on my 210cm Truckers!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The surface hoar and NSF's are under a heavy load easy to see failing with the test slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #1 Comments
I have received 22 inches of snow (2.1 inches of water) in the past two days at my house which is in the area of of North Ogden Pass. I went up to jump on my favorite test slopes at 6k-6.5k ft. There was wide spread loud collapsing, cracking and the new snow sliding on the surface hoar from last week as seen in the test slope video. This is a similar slope as the slides that came down to the Pass yesterday. I was not on the upper wind blown ridges but would be careful of the wind slab.
Video
Video of steep, north facing protected test slope at 6200ft with the new snow failing on the old surface hoar.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High