Observation Date
2/1/2023
Observer Name
Hardesty, O’Connor, Bombard, Smith
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Riidge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Some moderate gusts by late afternoon with little to no transport observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Solars are crusted, thawing in the midday sun. Some wind crusts noted in the higher elevations. The protected shady aspects hold excellent riding conditions - the new snow is recrystallizing and weakening under the clear and cold.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Went to look at the moose-triggered avalanche in the
Birthday Bowls , as reported by Ron Gleason. Slab was soft to hard, 12-18" deep and 250' across, failing on decomposing stellars, facets (and smattering of small diam surface hoar) formed during last week's brief weather window. See photos below. There was no crust at the bed surface. Possibly the same layering as the Chilly Peak avalanche further south.
Tests proved inconsistent, although full propagation on half of the ECTs. No collapsing or cracking noted.
Blown away at how far the debris ran into the Cutler Creek from the early January avalanche cycle. Roughly 2700' vertical drop from the BL-Willard ridgeline starting zone and nearly 1.5 miles long. See GAIA pin drop.
Note fir(?) raked and entombed by the avalanche in Cutler Creek.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
