Snowpack

Observation: Cutler Ridge

Tim BeamanOgden
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Quick report

Red Flags
Wind Loading, Collapsing, Poor Snowpack Structure

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Pockets of wind slab over weaker initial layers at higher elevations on slopes approaching 35 and steeper.</p>

A wide variety of snow surface characteristics:  loose facets and surface hoar up to mid elevation; patches of freezing rain crust and wind-blown graupel/facets from mid elevation to the ridge/saddle; then hard wind slab and loose facets from the saddle to the summit.

At mid elevations spidery cracking of the rain crust from snow settlement was noted but did not, unfortunately, improve its skiability.

Some llocalized collapsing was noted in open areas at med elevation on flat and moderate slopes.