Ogden Bench

We had a good day out with several other groups in the Ogden bench area. We observed numerous natural avalanches. We observed size one avalanches out of steep terrain that slide within the last 48 hours. We also observed a size 3 avalanche on SE slopes further north. The avalanche appeared to be within the last couple of days as the fracture line looked fresh and hadn't filled in, even though obvious wind transport was observed on many features. See photo We also observed a skier triggered size 1.5 which was triggered by another party. See photo. We had toured up the slope 10 to 100m to the south earlier : ( We did not observe any cracking or whoomphing. However, we had very easy hand shears, on the interface from Feb 2 or 3rd. In general that layer was 15cm deep, however toward the area the slide was it was 30+ cm. We also observed a wind skin (2" thick) near ridge top, especially towards the area the slide was. We didn't feel super good about our choice to tour up where we did, given we saw the avalanche later. But we did split the group on purpose, and choose an ascent line with no terrain traps and a nice easy run-out and were prepared to turn around with any sign of wind slabs (whoomphing, cracking, pole pokes, etc.). Not sure how the group who triggered the slide felt when they skied down the line 50 m away from the slide they just triggered, I probably would have pooped my pants. The weather was warm with high level cloud off/on all day. Winds were moderate with strong gusts, and we observed active wind transport, with plumes blowing off the high ridges, and visible transport at lower level ridges in the alpine. At the subpeak of Ogden Bench there were winds loading the slope from the North, and from the South (sometimes within a 10 min period). Our skin track filled in within 30min. The best skiing was found below treeline where the wind hadn't effected the snow. The snow at treeline and the alpine was still good, but was upside down and took work to ski. The obvious lines in the area are now all skied. Overall a good day out, though maybe we'll be more careful in the future.

We observed several avalanches. 1) We observed a Size 3 avalanche off the peak west of Mount Niles. The slide was observed from ~5 km away, but was very prominent. The slope was a SE slope. The avalanche appeared to be within the last day or two, but could have been earlier in the week. See photo. 2) We observed a an avalanche triggered by another ski touring party. The avalanche was triggered off the Ogden Bench on a east facing aspect that had seen recent wind loading. The avalanche was a size 1, but did propagate about 50 m wide, and slide down ~500m+ to low angle terrain. See Photos 3) We observed several size 1 slabs out of steeper terrain. See Photos

Wind and snow transport varied throughout the day. Plumes of snow were visible blowing off the ridge top. Moderate winds with strong gusts were moving snow. Our skin track blew in within 30min in the alpine near top of ridges

Ski penetration ranged from 10cm to 30 cm, deeper in the trees, and in specific alpine locations. Snow was a little upside down, with the top layer being wind effected, lighter snow underneath.