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Observation: North Timpanogos

Observation Date
1/22/2025
Observer Name
Meisenheimer
Region
Provo » American Fork » Timpooneke » North Timpanogos
Location Name or Route
Pine Hollow to North Timpanogos
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
It's either hard drifts of wind-blown snow or facets.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I found the wind-drifted snow to be very reactive today, with loud collapsing. I would say this issue is very touchy at the moment. These drifts are one finger to pencil hard from the strong winds. But the Timpanogos zone is so weak that all it takes is some wind to make a slab. I found these drifts to be 6-12 inches deep, and I had propagating cracks up to 150 feet wide.
The snow was either faceted and loose or stiff and hard from the winds. Riding conditions are awful. There is no chance you could convince me to walk in upper elevation bowls with the current setup. I would think triggering a slab avalanche 6-12 inches deep and up to 100-200 feet is likely, especially on slopes loaded by the north wind at the mid and upper elevations.
It's really hard to say what the exact danger is... Out of any drifted terrain the danger is LOW. But the second you walk onto stiffer snow I found it to be energetic and would propagate a crack. I hiked up to about 9,000 feet before my ridge ended. I was solo and kept my margin of safety wide.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
There is a lot of weak and faceted snow on all shady aspects. If we get a notable storm with lots of wind and water, this place will light up (see video).
Comments
Video showing the shallow and weak overall structure of the snowpack.
Video
My plan was to ride around the north side of Timpanogos and dig on some west-facing aspects. However, when I got to the north side, I decided to turn because I was solo. I don't think a large avalanche would have smoke me. There is hardly any snow in any of the start zones. But could a 6-12 inch deep 100' avalanche push me face down with no partner? Maybe. I decided it wasn't worth the risk being that far out solo. So I flipped the bike around and walked up a safe ridgeline until it became too steep. There are also some steep west-facing slopes that bury the road here. It's steep! It was an easy choice to turn around (see pic).
More pics of coverage and some cracking in the drifts. Also pics showing how shallow the terrain is.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates