December 16
Lower Solitude parking to West Monitor to Wills Hill to Dutches Draw...out to Silver Fork lodge
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7800'-10k+, angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
8-12" new snow over a mostly crusted base.
The new snow was trying to bond but, would sluff on angles over 35°.
Let um run and follow or stay ahead.
West facing had a bit of scouring, east had some shallow drifting, non reactive.
No cracking or collapsing was observed.
Lower elevation skiing is much improved.
Weather
Overcast skies with snow showers. Wind from the west gusting over 15 mph. Cool temperatures.
Evaluation
New snow sluffing was the instability in area traveled.
Weather guessers have increased wind from the south suggested so...active wind load is more likely.
Higher density snow is also forecast for the next round.
Cracking and collapsing will be indicators of unstable snow.
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