Observation Date
12/24/2015
Observer Name
Kory
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge to Willard Overlook
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were moderate in the Ogden Mountains, Blowing and drifting snow.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Most of the now up high had been wind compacted.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Once again 5 out of 7.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There were numerous areas where wind slabs were likely. It looked like a couple of the large avalanches on the Willard ridge line were not to the ground. Just small wind slab pockets and others had stepped down to the Basel facets and others were all on the persistent slab.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
These seem to be hard to find the right spot to trigger. I had a ECTX an EXTPV and an ECTP22 all on the Basel facets in the same pit just moving up slope. The Isolation failure was in the shallowest spot. I feel that the chances of triggering this avalanche are small but the consequences are very high. I am still a little gun shy after Monday Anyways. It seems like the way to easily get caught in these is to trigger a wind slab on a NE aspect that steps down to the Persistent Weak Layer.
Comments
Some of the recent avalanches. Sorry they are hard to see in the photos need to find away to draw on them. This cycle was not as wide spread as I would have expected. These were not as large or as well connected either. These persistent pockets are just hard to trigger in the Ogden mountains. These were all D2 avalanches and none ran all the way to the Cutler Basin drainage.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
