Observation: Rodeo Ridge

This observation only applies up to 8,000' - slopes above that to the Ogden Skyline have more widespread and weaker faceted snow down near the ground with more of a load (storm snow and wind-drifted snow) on top.

Variability of the depth and strength of the snowpack at the mid elevations. There is a layer of facets ~30 cms thick down near the ground and the facets are slowly gaining strength.

Photos:

Pit #1 - NE aspect at 6,900' - A couple of layers of crusts with facets around the crusts. The crust layer at 60 cms the most concern.

Pit #2 - NW aspect at 7,800' - A 4F+ hard slab on top of F+ hard facets down near the ground. The facets are gaining strength.

Pit #3 - The strongest snow we looked at - NW aspect at 7,800' ECTN 22 down 45 cms in a density change. HS 184 cms and 4F+ to the ground.

Overall, it seems the snowpack up to 8,000' is gaining strength and is slowly moving in the right direction toward increasing stability.

A few photos of adjacent terrain:

- Rain runnels below 7,000'

- Chilly Peak Slabs

- Rodeo Ridge

- South facing slopes as they finally develop some snow coverage

- Zoomed-in photo of crown on Ben Lomond Headwall above Cutler Creek (this avalanche was previously reported)

Given the poor snowpack structure and the recent heavy load of snow and wind, we avoided avalanche terrain.

Strong and supportable 5-10 cm thick rain crust below 7,000'. 1 cm of new snow from Monday, 12/30  

Above 7k seems to be the transition zone where the crust is thinner, but we found a thin crust on slopes at our high point of 7,900'

 

HS (height of snow):

 

7,000' - 7,500': 90-140 cms (3 - 4.5')

 

7,500' - 8,000': 120 - 180 cms (4 - 6')