Observation Date
12/31/2014
Observer Name
Bill Brandt, Lee Fortin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold start from Utaba trail head(minus 15F). Not much wind. Spindrift off ridge to Ben Lomond with snow transport all day. Upper Cutler was wind affected. Light density snow blown off to rain crust. Some natural cracking in drifts along ridge. Temp was pleasant above weather station.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
10 inches of light density on rain crust. The crust was thinning, but still present at 8800 ft. Where the wind had blown off the snow ski crampons would have been nice.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
This was not much of a problem in terrain visited today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Skied a slope which had already slid previously this season. Snow depth above pit 160 cm and only 75-95 cm on slope we skied. Pit on 30 degree slope above a steep rollover. CT 12 above rain crust 25 cm down from surface. ECT 20 Q2 failed deeper in pack above basal facets with no failure at the level noted on CT.
Terrain much less wind affected than normal for Cutler Ridge area. Video of pit results didn't turn out. Moderate danger in terrain unaffected by wind. I'm sure you could find areas of considerable danger on the west side.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
