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Observation: Timpanogos

Observation Date
1/16/2025
Observer Name
Gagne/Costa
Region
Provo » Timpanogos
Location Name or Route
UFO Bowls
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Clear and calm.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The top 5-15 cms (2-6") of the snowpack is surface hoar and near-surface facets on non-solar aspects and also some radiation recrystallization (RR) on solar aspects. For now, it's not an issue, but it may become one once we get a new load of snow and/or wind-drifted snow.
Saw evidence of shallow wet-loose avalanche cycle from Wednesday, Jan 15. Saw no wet-loose avalanche activity today, likely due to the snow surface having slowly adjusted to the strong sunshine.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread weak snow in the bottom 20-30 cms of the snowpack with full propagation with extended column tests.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We focused on the snowpack on northerly slopes between 8,500' and 9,700' (our highest point). Snowpack depths are 50-100 cms with facets and depth hoard in the bottom 20-30 cms (8-12") of the snowpack. In areas where the snowpack is thinner, the slab on top of the PWL is weakening and is 4F- hard. In thicker snowpack areas, the slab is 4F/1F hard. All pits were full propagation in the low 20's.
With such thin coverage, the snowpack continues to weaken.
Comments
Photos, profiles, and video of typical results from today with full propagation of an extended column test.
Video
UFO #2 had plenty of tracks, with a wet-loose avalanche (likely from Wednesday 1/15) on an east aspect traveling several hundred vertical feet and covering up portions of the skin track and down tracks.
Video discussion of how we're avoiding avalanche terrain where the snowpack is thinner.
Video
Fabulous day for traveling in the mountains with great visibiity across the Timp massif.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates