Observation Date
2/21/2021
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
A bit cooler this morning at the trailhead, warming a fair amount throughout the day, feeling a bit spring like by afternoon with the welcome sunshine. Wind was present, light at low elevations, moderate at mid elevations. Flow was generally out of the northwest, as clearly evidenced with cloud movement at the Ben Lomond and Willard summits where I suspect moderate to strong winds based on how quickly vapor was moving around up there.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Overnight winds really worked over the snowpack, even at low elevations. Snow surface had little sheltered true powder remaining, though there was decent riding in the denser wind affected powder. Many turns were creamy and fast. Otherwise a mixed bag of wind crust, some sun affects dampening things up, bare ice in scoured zones. I'm sure there's still snow available for transport and some good riding to be had tomorrow, but a savvy traveler might have to look a bit harder to find it.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Noted a D2 slab in Black Canyon of unknown timing (see avalanche report: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/60025 ) east facing ca 7800ft. Also noted slightly larger than expected point releases near the rocks of Willard Peak and Chilly Peak. The Cutler headwall featured a few small slab releases, likely due to cornice failure onto pocket wind slabs.
Comments
Northwest winds as evidenced by the plume off the summit of Ben Lomond.
Northerly winds overnight have placed the wind effects in unusual locations, "backwards" compared to the typical pattern. The long arrow indicates wind direction over the Birthday Bowls and the small arrow denotes the beginning of cornice formation along the ridgeline.
Wind scouring in the Backyard above the uptrack. Yesterday the twin tracks were slashed into the powder. This morning they were upraised atop the scoured snow surface. The shine at the top of the slope is bare ice.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
