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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/9/2021
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
High pressure. Clear skies, calm winds. Low teens F at trailhead at 800am, warm temps at the middle elevations until about 200pm when a cloud settled on the saddle and summit of Ben Lomond, dropping perceived temps in the shade considerably.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A battle is raging between the celestial bodies for the future of the snow surface on the sunny aspects. The sun has been dampening the snow midday, but the nighttime cold and clear skies with stars above have been creating widespread surface hoar and near surface faceting. On the shady aspects, the clear skies are winning handily, with surface hoar and facets rapidly transforming the snow from Tuesday (5 January).
In the win column, this means preserved soft riding conditions, though most of the safe terrain is becoming tracked out. However, continued weakening snow adds a tally to the loss column for that time when we eventually get fresh snowfall as it will continue to rest on a poor snowpack structure.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No big surprise to see continued poor snowpack structure. Basal facets persist, with large grains around 3-5mm at the mid elevations. The crust above this is decomposing, and the snow atop that boundary is now F to 4F in hardness, though it comprises a slab that is plenty cohesive enough to slide off that crust into pits. Oh, and also collapsing continues in small, localized doses above 8000ft. Our party of 4 triggered 8 or 10 "bush whumpfs" while we were out, which was convincing enough for us to avoid steep terrain as we found poor structure plus sufficient energy for propagation.
Comments
Surface hoar ca. E approx. 7500ft.
Damp tracks and small roller balls on exposed, sunny terrain.
Also in this photo are two pits (indicated by arrows). It's great that folks are digging into the snow to see what's going on, hopefully aiding their decision making. Less great is that these pits were not back filled (they are now). They also sit just below the crest of a convex rollover on the most common exit from Cutler Ridge. This creates a real injury risk. Please refrain from putting pits in common skiing locations, and wherever you put them, fill them in when you're done.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None