Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/13/2016
Observer Name
Kory
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind switched around to the SW with the front comming in. Did not notice any loading from the NW winds on cutler.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The snow surface comes in a buffet of options in the Ogden Mountains. Most SE-SW aspects are now stripped of now or are very wind compacted. Protected areas have surface hoar from the night of the 10th and 11th. This is only about 2-4mm in size. On true south aspects below 7,600 Feet there is a melt/freeze form surface with wet snow. And upper elevation N aspects are just old light density powder from 1/9/2016

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Touchy wind slabs on NE aspects today with the SW wind. anywhere from 1"-10" deep. We did not go above dead tree know but I bet up on the Ben lomand shoulder they are much deeper. All of the Cutler basin looked wind effected.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

This were very sensitive especially on NE convex rollovers that always catch the wind drifts on cutler. We did jump on a few and had reactive results.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #2 Comments

I am just going to say normal caution. We did not have the warming today that we have had the last few days. I think with the weak snow on the surface in many areas we could see active storm slabs if this storm comes in wet as predicted. I also still think the lingering Deep slab could be triggered in the correct terrain.

Comments

Photo 1: Snow surface on NW aspect about 8200 feet pretty widespread in open areas.

Photo 2: Wind affect on surface

Photo 3: Wet loose snow from Monday or Tuesday.

Photo 4: Cutler Basin

Photo 4: Natural Windslab on Rodeo false summit.

Blowing Snow on Cutler Photo Credit Chris Morgan / @chris_twosherpas

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate