Observation: Back of Bob's

Observation Date
2/20/2021
Observer Name
R. Kosinski
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » Timpanogos » Back of Bob's
Location Name or Route
Back of Bob's Knob
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The PWL in the Provo area varies greatly by location. I dug one pit on a N aspect at 8400' and found multiple PWL including facets at the ground. Even on a S aspect where the snowpack was less than half the depth, the snowpack was mostly facets. While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on the PWL is low, any avalanche would likely run to the ground and be very wide.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With predicted rising temps in the next few days and solar intensity rising, I would suspect one could pull out a small wet slab avalanche in the next few days in extreme terrain.
Comments
I started touring around 1045 from Aspen Grove under broken clouds. There was almost every type of weather today with periods of snow, moderate wind, intense sun, and broken skies. By around 1300, the skies were clear and moderate solar was affecting the snow surface. I dug a pit on a N aspect at 8400', low angle in sheltered and probably windloaded terrain with a total snowdepth of 120cm. 0-15cm ground facets (fully decomposed)/ 15-30cm ice crust/ 30-45cm facets/ 45-80cm four-finger density snow/ 80-85cm melt-freeze crust/ 85-125cm four-finger to fist hardness. I also dug a pit on a S aspect at 8400' with a snowdepth ~50cm with the bottom 2/3 all facets. There was also windloading with 2-5" deep windslabs along the ridgelines.

The UFO bowls and some other terrain looked very tempting but if you look at what is underneath the pow it shows how bad the winter has been. The spatial variability between locations in Provo is pretty significant so I would be hesitant to apply this data outside of this area. I'd say we are in a solid "considerable" in any place that has over 50cm of snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates