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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
12/26/2017
Observer Name
Ben, Kory, Joe
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
The trail head was beautiful! Warm and sunny with virtualy no wind. As we approached the weather station we were presented with scattered skies and moderate wind. Near the weather station we noticed the wind was transporting snow and starting to form small drifts, you could feel the wind slab forming under foot near the weather station.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow pack is thin even as high as the weather station. The summer trail is about the only clear approach and desent.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Pretty much check all the boxes today. The Ogden hills were alive today with the sound of collapsing. Even on the previous skin track we were getting collapsing and shooting cracks. We took advantage of almost every test slope we came accross just to hear and feel the rolling thunder and see the cracks.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

The new heavy snow sits ontop of all the old garbage from earlier this year.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
28°
Video

Small wind drifts starting to form near the weather station.

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