Observation Date
1/29/2017
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Blue bird skies with warm temperatures and plenty of sun throughout the day. Felt like spring and had me wishing I'd brought a sun layer instead of a fleece. Very little wind at lower elevation, with light winds above about 8,000'. Even the summit pyramid winds were mild for typical Ben Lomond weather.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Still soft snow to be found in sheltered locations and shady slopes. Above 8,500', wind effects became noticeable, with wind loading increasing in depth and hardness to the saddle with full-blown sastrugi on the summit pyramid and boot pen of 5 to 10cm. Most noteworthy was the widespread surface hoar below aboutn7,600', with grain size around 2-3mm at the largest.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Quick digging at 8,000' to 130cm depth below snow surface revealed right side up snow from F to 4F to 1F hardnesss, with no buried surface hoar present. Plenty of wet point releases were visible along the southern half of the compass throughout the day.
Comments
Can't figure out how to make photos load from my phone, but there was plenty of cornicing and wind effects on the Ben Lomond summit, a comparatively mellow Willard headwall, and a number of wet slides and point releases above Cutler Creek.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
