Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/1/2023
Observer Name
W Ambler and J Noteboom
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge, 8200'
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
falling snow was cold and dry. temps were mild and the wind was negligible if noticeable.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
top tier riding conditions up higher (above 7200' ish)
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We saw multiple avalanches above us (8400'?) on the NE facing slope that descends from Ben Lomond Peak. These were relatively small given the extent of the slope but still large enough to scare me off. 2-3' deep, 100+ feet wide. Most likely failing on PWL. I'd submit an avalanche report but the flat light and falling snow obscured my photos and the lurking hangfire and adjascent slopes kept us from getting any more helpful information. They looked like they had some new snow on the crown and bed surface. We just enjoyed their presence from a distance. This may be the second hand avalanche beta referenced in the forecast.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The faceted snow up here is still dry and weak. No juggling. The snow near the bottom of the snowpack was very weak, loose, sugary facets. One could bake muffins with crystals like these. However they're buried 90+ cm deep. No cracking or collapsing noted today.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There's more of it up here. It's hardly been touched and the steeper slopes are tantalizing. Test slopes only sluffed.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
8,200'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
Pictured below, rime and more rime on trees above 8000'
A great day of riding was had on low angle slopes. Quiet and pleasant start to the new year. Safe travels
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates