Observation: Aspen Grove

Went to look at potential persistent weak layer in the Aspen Grove area, in the Provo Mountains. Snowpits on aspects N-E-S showed 14-18" of saturated snow with wet facets on the ground. Snow surface was damp or melt-freeze crust. In areas we traveled there was no slab over the weak layers. Worth watching these thinner areas below 8,000' for the future problems with this week's forecasted high pressure and thin snowpack which will drive rapid faceting and could be the next weak layer if it doesn't melt first.

Photo above Snowpit (graphed) 7800' east facing

Photo above quick pit

Below Photos 1 and 2 showing thin coverage. Photo 3 looking south

There was approximately 10" of settled snow depth. All the snow we ran into today was saturated to the ground. Snow heights ranged from 14-18" of snow with either a very damp surface or a melt/freeze crust in the shady aspects.  We observed roller balls above the road cuts (pic below) as well as some wet loose rollerballs in the Elk Point area.  Snow was damp and shallow.  I would imagine higher elevation Provo Mountain snowpack more similarly resembles upper Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.  Where we traveled today was Low danger because there was no slab over the weak snow and it was a very shallow snowpack. Our biggest concern where we were was hitting rocks and logs and stumps.  Early in the season I have high level of uncertainty with avalanche hazard and conditions and there is a great paper by Roger Atkins "Yin, Yang, and You" that I like to reread every season. His paper talks about strategic mindset. This decision making tool has been adopted throughout the avalanche industry as a way to manage risk when choosing what terrain to engage with at different times of the season.