December 14
Spruces to Reynolds to Butler Basin to Wilson, out Butler
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6900-10k, angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
I found 4-24" total snow, with the least on the trail up mill D north and a little less on the exit out Butler Fork.
The most snow was found in Wilson Glade, sheltered and shady, elevation about 9700'.
Wind, sun and the rain storm had all impacted slopes with a wide variety of conditions, experienced.
Mild temperatures for most of the day were melting some of the south facing crusts leaving the shallow(12" or less) snow pack, damp and dense.
Upper elevation shady had a variety of crusts under the most recent snow, some were supportable, most breakable.
Good settled powder skiing was only found in the most sheltered upper elevation terrain.
Weather
Partly cloudy in the morning with thickening lowering clouds and snow showers as the day progressed. Wind was non existent.
Snow pit
No snow profiles were done but, pole probing during the day, I found some scattered shallow weak snow areas.
Mild temperatures and consolidation has eliminated much of the faceting throughout the area.
"It is important to remember not to dig in wind drifts."
Evaluation
Instability was limited to surface sluffing.
No cracking, no collapsing with the weakest snow near the surface.
Weather guessers have the second major storm of winter suggested.
Future instability will be dependent on bonding to the old surface, wind and snow amounts.
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