Observation: Woolley Hole

Observation Date
1/2/2022
Observer Name
Hardesty, Gagne, Coyne, Roemer, Watson
Region
Provo » American Fork » Timpooneke » Woolley Hole
Location Name or Route
Woolley Hole
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Beautiful day. Cold in the morning; rapid warming through afternoon...
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sunny aspects went off, leaving a thin zipper crust when affected snow went into the shade. Snow surface already starting to weaken and this may have provoked some minor sluffing in the steepest terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We did not experience any cracking or collapsing -
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Quick profile at 9000' on an ENE slope (possibly wind drifted owing to terrain)....yielded HS of 140cm. Lower 10cm of 2-3mm facets were damp and borderline 4F+. No cracking or collapsing noted.
Comments
Intention was to access the significant slide in the Woolley Hole on the north side of Timp. This (and many others naturalled) during just before New Years during the heavy snow and wind. Provo has seen upwards of 3-5" of SWE along with significant loading from the southerly winds. We gained the ridge to 9000' and pulled the plug due to overall hazard - the ridge is difficult to follow and wants to "barn door" you into starting zones that haven't slid yet. So we bailed, knowing that the avalanches had failed on the October PWL.
It is possible that an avalanche or cornice fall from above triggered this significant avalanche. Debris flowed over the hanging valley lip and down into the meadow below (~7800'). The Pika (last pic) cirque also naturalled during the cycle, perhaps size 3. Photos below.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates