Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date

2/2/2016

Observer Name

Mike H

Region

Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge

Location Name or Route

Cutler Ridge

Weather

Sky

Few

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Calm

Weather Comments

The most notable weather observation was the wind. On the ridge tops we had riming and wind from the S-SE, and below the ridge line there were significant wind slabs formed on S-SE aspects. It seems like the wind we had on Monday cam up and hit the headwall and swirled in the area, causing wind effect on many more aspects than anticiapted.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Dense Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Today, the surface skied really fast, We skied low angle north aspects that had slight wind crusts formed, but sheltered areas skied very well. The skiing was fast. Definitely wind effected on many aspects, and and the new snow from the weekend, has been transported and formed relatively hard wind slabs.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

The wind wreaked havoc on the snow surface over the past couple of days. All of our new snow is now packed into firm wind slabs. While skiing, I cut a couple of small slopes that were loaded, and didn't see a hole lot of energy releasing, just cracking and collapsing. The slabs were very firm.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

This was tricky. After that surface hoar received last Wednesday, I was curious if that was still buried in our snow pack. While digging, I was able to find that buried surface hoar about 10-20CM down depending on the area. It was not apparent on solar aspects due to the crusts built up creating vapor barriers. I don't think this problem is wide spread but it is definitely out there on a lot of aspects. ECTN 21 Down 10CM . I had partial propagation, but not a lot of energy moving through the snow pack upon fracture.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

8,200'

Slope Angle

28°