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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/23/2023
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Moderate east winds along the ridgelines. Cold in the shade.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
2" of very low density snow from Sunday, capped by patches of small diameter surface hoar, laying over. Photo below.
Wind damage in the highest elevations; some solars are crusted. Excellent skiing conditions. Coverage is unbelievable, but a fair bit of bushwhacking involved, as always. Probe is 270cm long @ 8200'. Roughly 110" on the ground. The Ben Lomond snotel at 7700' reports 105" on the ground.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Noted extensive wind drifting from the previous days...ENE, NW, W...and wind whales noted on myriad aspects. I only went up to 8200' but found drifts to be stable.
That said, isolated hard and soft slabs of wind drifted snow may still be found in the higher elevations. Unusual loading conditions exist.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Size one (small-ish) loose dry avalanches noted on northeast to southeast aspects today.
Forecaster Greg Gagne's observation from the Rodeo Ridge on the 21st is HERE.
Sunday's 2" of new bonded poorly on the previous snow surfaces reported of surface hoar and faceting low density snow. A simple tilt test with a shovel helps illuminate this as well.
I did not find buried surface hoar under the newest snow, but should be something to investigate in other terrain as 2" of new may well protect and insulate this layer for future problems.
Comments
Amazing to see the old crowns from (probably) the avalanche cycle on Jan 11th along the Ben Lomond/Willard Peak headwall. Also amazing to see much of the gulley below the headwall nearly filled...with debris blowing past and onto the far side of the gulley.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates