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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/10/2019
Observer Name
Hardesty, Gagne, Wewer, Watson
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm and humid, dampening snow surfaces to perhaps 7000'. No wind or wind loading to speak of.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft settled powder on sun-sheltered aspects. Surface snow not weakening.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Older storm and wind slab avalanches noted from the Sun/Mon storm on a number of aspects and elevations (D1-D3-Willard/BL headwall) but none noted into faceted snow. Some shallow storm slabs even noted below 6000' above Cutler Creek. Mostly an observation of pertinent negatives.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
No newly drifted snow; any hard slabs we jumped on felt welded in.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With respect to the activity noted on
North Ogden Divide 6 Jan 6100' NE likely on facet/crust layer
Lewis Peak 7 Jan 6400' SE facing on surface hoar
Lewis Peak 7 Jan 7500-8000' NNE-E weakness unknown, though speculated as facet/crust layer
Not sure if I have dug as many hasty pits for awhile. With some uncertainty surrounding the mid to low elevations, homework was required. Test pits on
7120' East facing
7000' South facing
6780' WNW facing
6380' NW facing
5740' NNE facing
Weakest snow found in the 5740' NNE structure of 90cm HS and bottom 30cm of facets beneath a crust. ECTX
and 7120' East facing with similar structure with ECTP23 but then ECTX
No collapsing or cracking noted anywhere; all the digging yielded no sign of the pre-storm surface hoar; only 4F+ strengthening faceted snow.
Comments
Overall trend toward stability.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate