Observation: Rodeo Ridge

Observation Date
2/15/2023
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Rodeo Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Rodeo Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
Mid teens F at the trailhead around 0830. Some morning clouds, mostly along the ridgelines and summits, diminishing throughout the day. Of note was the relative lack of wind. Things were generally calm at low elevations, with only a light breeze at the mid elevations. Where we traveled, we had to get above 8000ft for the wind to really turn on; when it did it was generally from the north.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Variable snow surface. True solar aspects held supportive crust with a skiff of new snow on top. Working around to neighboring sunny terrain with less intense exposure yielded a couple cm of new snow atop a breakable 3cm crust, with about 6-8cm of loose mixed forms below this, and another 6-8cm crust that was generally supportive.
Wind exposed terrain featured all manner of wind effects, but generally nothing firmer than 1F except on the most exposed ridges, knobs, etc. Unfortunately, wind affected terrain seemed to be basically everything. E/NE terrain had some interesting combinations of wind crust mixed with hot pow.
The truly sheltered and shady terrain had soft snow (storm total of about 12-15cm), but this terrain was pretty limited.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No significant concerns. The sparkle on the snow surface this morning was preserved stellars and plates, not surface hoar. Surface wind pockets were not particularly reactive. Did mange to cut away some significant chunks of crust underfoot on steep terrain that might have otherwise been sluffing if it wasn't, well...crust.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates