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Observation: Primrose Cirque

Observation Date
1/23/2019
Observer Name
Joey Dempster
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » Timpanogos » Primrose Cirque
Location Name or Route
Falls Couloir, Primrose Cirque, Timpanogos
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Ridgetop winds were moderate this morning, transporting snow and resulting in loose snow avalanches and plentiful spindrift on the steep terrain surrounding Primrose.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Cold temperatures have preserved the powder nicely but it could provide poor adhesion to any new snow that falls tonight. Some denser, wind affected snow could be found lower in the cirque but it was not reactive. Perhaps with an additional load of new snow these pockets could be tricky, as I doubt they are significantly bonded due to the cold temperatures.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Lots of wind transport up high this morning, and it seems like there was plenty of snow left to move around if winds got worse in the afternoon. Also, I observed two recent shallow avalanches on a south facing aspect that correspond with the slides reported in the area on 1/22. I would assume that they could have been triggered today as well. With additional loading, this layer (6-8 inches from the 1/22 snow surface, estimated) could produce larger slides tomorrow. Robert's Horn was loading all morning and spit out two sizable avalanches just during the couple of hours that we were up there. Par for the course for Primrose; don't walk under the steep crique walls! Avoid big debris cones as they can be active at any time, even if you can't feel wind lower down in the cirque. Tomorrow (1/24) wind loading will prime all of these paths to repeat, although I wouldn't expect them to run full track with only 6-8 inches new. But give the cliffs a wide berth if you are travelling in the cirque.
Comments
I wanted to go to Primrose today and get a look at the aftermath of what was sure to be an epic Timpanogos avalanche cycle. I was not disappointed. All of the "old faithful" slide paths ran full track. Elk Point ran to the summer trail and left a huge debris field. The slide path directly opposite ("Parking Lot Money Shot") ran to the drainage bottom as well. Further up towards 1st and 2nd Falls, multiple paths ran together to produce an impressive debris field that covers up much of the bushwhacking in the lower cirque. 1st and 2nd Falls are completely filled in. Game on! So in most places large avalanches have run through the steep terrain and flushed out any weaknessess. Crowns from sympathetic releases are visible outside of the tracks.
I would be terrified of the big terrain still. While I doubt that there are any significant starting zones that didn't avalanche spontaneously, if I were to encounter any, I would avoid them for another few days at least. Too much snow too fast to trust.
In summary, this was a great cycle for the southern wasatch, both in setting a nice base for the rest of the season, and for producing phenomenal avalanches that the area is known for.
Report edited by forecaster.
Photo is of shallow slab avalanche, probably spontaneously triggered on 1/22. South facing, 8000 ft. I did not inspect it.
2nd photo is of large tree that was ripped in half by recent large avalanche. This is below East Peak, which produces large avalanches every year, so this tree has seen some action before finally succumbing to the most recent cycle. You can see down the lee side several feet. This was a serious cycle!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates