Observation: UFO Bowls

Observation Date

3/24/2018

Observer Name

Hardesty, Wilson

Region

Provo » Provo Canyon » North Fork Provo R. » UFO Bowls

Location Name or Route

Timp Divide to North UFO

Weather

Sky

Broken

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Precipitation begn with a squall at 5pm. Only a trace noted.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Route: Aspen Grove to Timp Divide and up to 9k on the north UFO ridgeline.

Scratchy. On a supportable rain crust to our high point elevation of 9000'. A trace of new overnight had softened in the warmth making for - as Zinnia described - "hero snow" for the uptrack.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Red Flags Comments

Woody and Chris noted the natural high in the Cascade Cirque from Thursday?...other natural dry and wet slabs noted in the alpine terrain facing north to east above the Giant Staircase (different from the one noted earlier in the week).

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Timing seemed to be with the rain event. Bullet-proof crust up to 10cm up to at least 9000' noted whereas sub-surface snow while isothermal appeared to have drained. Most layers moist; with two "wet" - see profile below. Most interested in pooling as well as mechanical properties of structure, to include comparing ECT and PST tests side by each.

Seemed overall Low danger in terrain we traveled.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

More than a couple pulled out likely Thursday/Friday high above the Timpooneke side of Timp abvoe 10k. Photos below. Didn't make it that high but might imagine high thin shady terrain still holding a localized Moderate danger for human triggered slides in this layering.

Natural wind slabs noted high on Cascade Cirque - pic below

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northeast

Elevation

8,500'