Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Observation Date
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Avalanche Date
Friday, January 17, 2020
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Ben Lomond/Willard headwall
Elevation
9,300'
Aspect
Northeast
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Comments
Saw several natural avalanches on the headwall between Ben Lomond and Willard Peak, which released near or just below the ridgeline. Based on the signficant cross loading visible from a distance, I imagine these were wind slabs, likely the result of the very strong overnight winds 16-17 January. Slides were many (almost one per drainage on Ben Lomond), size D1 -D2, the longest running with perhaps 400-500ft of vertical drop.
Not sure the photo quality does it justice for these, given the distance. In this photo of Willard, slide debris is visible below the left hand ridgeline above the sun/shade line.
Comments
Most of the activity in this photo was in the NE facing terrain in the bowl on the upper left of the photo, debris stopping at the mid-slope bench.
Comments
The longest running avalanche was in the summit drainage, just looker's right and near the base of the trees, running through the rock choke and stopping in the drainage a few hundred feet below.
