At the middle elevations, water made it's way through the entire snowpack from the rain event. The basal ice layer remains with CT and ECT failing on isolation or at the basal ice layer or on the ground (basal ice is not present in some spots near vegetation, etc.). However, near the top of the snowpack the rain has frozen in and seems to be bridging well. The ice is 10 to 15cm thick, with the center quite hard (K) with additional somewhat softer ice (P) above and below. Below this is moist rounding snow with a pile of facets at the bottom on the basal ice. Interested to see how this sets up with temps the next few days. With hard enough freezing, the upper ice layer could reset "ground level," while providing a new and exciting bed surface with facets and graupel on top. There's plenty of moisture in the snowpack below, so wouldn't be surprised to see faceting on both sides of the ice crust.
Observation Date
1/11/2018
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin, Ben, Jamie
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Fern Gully, Cutler Ridge, Ben Lomond
Comments
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates