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Observation: Willard Peak

Observation Date
4/12/2020
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Willard Peak
Location Name or Route
Willard Peak
Weather
Weather Comments
Cooler today as forecast, winds seemed variable out of the western quadrant of the compass, varying in intensity as well--relatively light with the occasional stronger gusts. Partly cloudy skies throughout the day, varying from times of nearly full sun in the Cutler Basin to fully overcast overhead.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
If we did pick up a skiff of new snow overnight, we certainly didn't find it anywhere in the Cutler drainage. However, we did find a variable surface from hard refreeze to corn to mashed potatoes. The inconsistent cloud cover and sunshine seemed to soften and harden things at difficult to predict locations based on time and aspect, but most things seemed safely skiable after about 1130am regardless. We went out just to see how things were and ended up getting lucky with some decent corn skiing.
Comments
The recent warm up had two notable effects.
1. Lower elevation melt out has been significant, leaving plenty of walking in some places before it's possible to confidently commit to skinning. The Cutler zone is no different, with patchy coverage below about 6800ft.
2. Wet avalanches have been running bigger and farther. Pictured below is the Willard side of the headwall, with slides now extending 700 or 800 feet of vertical. There is similar old debris on the Ben Lomond side of the headwall, too. However, we did not see any new activity today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None