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Observation: Ogden

Observation Date
2/4/2020
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
Much colder today than this weekend: -2F at 0800 at the trailhead, but warming to 18F at the trailhead by 1130. No precip to speak of. Wind was uncharacteristically calm. Rare to stand on a windless Dead Tree Knob (8000ft), but that's indeed what happened today. Some wind up high as evidence by small plumes of snow and cloud near the summit, but I imagine it was likely a pretty pleasant day up there.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
6-8" of low density powder on the surface at lower elevations, with a bit lower snow totals as elevation increased; around 4-6" at 8000ft. Where it was possible to find a consistent old snow surface, riding was great. However, terrain was sufficiently tracked out from the weekend that with small enough snow fall that old tracks weren't really covered.
Made it a point to sample elevations and aspects and found supportable crust on steep southerlies below the new snow. Rest of the compass as mid elevations was generally the fluffy stuff on top of right side up snow. Conditions were soft enough that it wasn't too bad to ride over old tracks. Low elevations featured pretty firm and crusty old tracks and thin crust otherwise.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Noted a number of recent avalanches in the Cutler/Willard headwall and on the south aspects of Island Peak, presumably from the heat this weekend. D1-D2, dominantly releasing below or among rocks. Tracks and debris presently covered by the new powder coat. As early as 11am we were kicking off rollerballs in the new snow on solar aspects. Also rode over some terrain with slope angles in the upper 30s and to my surprise did not find much of anything that wanted to run long in the surface snow. Will be interesting to see how this sets up with the forecast for dense snow and possible low elevation rain.
Comments
Worthwhile to note the shifted wind direction and effects on loading. With the recent northerly winds, the wind loading is "backwards" relative to typical at all elevations. Luckily, wind loading is readily identifiable in the field, but always important to be cognizant of wind direction.
1. The Ben Lomond summit viewed from the NE with new wind lips obvious on looker's right side of drainages. Arrow indicates wind direction.
2. The Birthday Bowls/Bull Nose zone (low elevation) with new wind lips and cornicing indicated. The typical wind lip in that zone is visible on the looker's left ridge line.
3. Cornices still in place on the Chilly Peak ridge line. Cornice above the Bailey's cirque noted here.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate