Observation Date
1/15/2020
Observer Name
Charlie S
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge/Dead Tree
Comments
Walked up to Dead Tree with the intention of skiing the north face, hopefully wind sheltered. It wasn’t. At least 5 different wind slab layers, 3”-5” deep, each failing on subsequent taps. The third layer failed on a groupel layer.
Snow was faceted 3 feet down, then a 2” crust, and then upside-down snow all the way to the top. Very location specific. The standard Cutler Ridge back down was much better below 7500’ where winds had been primarily dormant. Above 7500’ wind damage on all aspects was apparent. How often do cornices build up in meadows?!
A few natural avalanches noted on Willard, probably storm snow. On Ben Lomond, it looked like a massive cornice had dropped and shattered. Was hard to tell if the debris was the obliterated cornice or an avalanche. It probably ran 300’ vertical feet.
Worth noting, one of my ski partners hit a tree and twisted his ankle at the top of the ridge. We experimented with several different ways to get him down the mountain. Finally did it, but I apologize for the damage to the skin track on the way out. His season is probably over.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates