December 4
Alta guard station, upper Cardiff, upper Mill B South, Mineral Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7200-10800', angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
There was an inch or two of light fluffy new snow over a settled base
No sun crusting observed in the terrain traveled through.
Ski conditions were consistent wind pack powder.
Easterly aspects in upper elevation exposed terrain was loading from west wind, west facing, scouring.
Coverage at lower elevations much improved from previous(November 27) tour in Mineral Fork.
Weather
Partly cloudy to overcast skies, moderate temperatures, wind from the west, gusting over 15 mph in exposed terrain.
Avalanche activity
Shallow, sensitive wind drifting was discovered on the Cardiac pass exit.
Three sympathetic slides were triggered on the skin out.
(Bad photos)
These were 1-5" deep, largest was about 20' wide, running on light density snow over denser bed surface.
Ski cutting in the "Room of Doom" produced no results.
Evaluation
Increasing instability from west wind in isolated, exposed upper elevation terrain.
Good stability everywhere else.
Future stability would be dependent on wind, significant snow and surface recrystalization from forecast cool temperatures.
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