Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/16/2016
Observer Name
Kory
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge To Dead Tree
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Strong winds as usual on Cutler today. Wind was swirling but mainly out of the SW. Heavy precip all day and still falling.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Hard to tell with all the wind what the New snow depth actually was but the Ben Lomond Peak station said 4" so we will go with that. On Dead tree I was unable to find any touchy wind drifts. New snow seemed to be bonding well with the old snow surface around 8,200 feet on a N aspect. On more exposed wind loaded slopes we were able to get some propagation up to a foot deep on test slopes, but still not fast moving slides the bed surface is not slick enough or maybe the new snow is starting to bond better because of the new snow density. At upper elevations I bet you would find harder deeper wind slabs just with the amount of wind we saw today.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The wind slabs we were able to trigger were still very soft, F hardness. These were more isolated than I had thought before we headed up and with the amount of wind on the ridge.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

There has to be areas down low where the surface hoar was left in tact you could find more reactive storm slabs. Non standard stability tests showed no reactivity in the new snow. Which leads me to believe that there is some bonding between the old surface and new snow.

Comments

1. Easily triggered wind slab on E aspect 7,400 ft. 12" deep, F hardness

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