Observer Name
Bill Brandt
Observation Date
Monday, January 2, 2023
Avalanche Date
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Rodeo Ridge
Location Name or Route
Rodeo
Elevation
7,800'
Aspect
Northeast
Slope Angle
37°
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Weak Layer
Facets
Depth
4'
Width
150'
Vertical
300'
Comments
Today I observed many small slides in the new storm snow on SE through NE. Most were partially buried in new snow. A substantial debris pile was just south of the slide I reported a few days ago. One slide we saw was much larger with a crown of 100cm. Elevation 7750 ft. HS skiers right crown was 225 cm and on the left was 285 cm. Judging from snow depth this spot has significant wind loading which contributed to this slide. this probably happened Saturday or maybe New Years Day because there was 24 cm of new snow on the bed surface. There was a weak layer just above the November facets. This layer was a couple of inches of 4 finger snow with 1 finger snow above and below the weak layer. Stability testing of skiers right hangfire ECTX. The basal facets are definitely gaining strength although that 2 inch layer is slower to heal.
Photos-
1. Crack in hangfire.
2. Deposition pile.
3. Crack left flank.
4. Looking toward apex of crown.
5. Looking across to location where we dug snowpit.
6. Looking towards apex from snow pit.
7. Putting the crown in perspective. The bed surface has about a foot of new snow on it.
8. Snow from weak layer. Looks like graupel until you magnify it. Can anybody identify? Whatever it is it is round and weak.
Stay safe.
Coordinates
