November 22
Reynolds Flat to Cardiac
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7000'-10'500', angles to 35°+, north and east aspects.
Slopes skied:
Undercut Cardiac bowl because of the scouring in the chutes and did the same with Cardiac ridge.
Snow conditions:
Snow line is around 9000', north facing and 9400' ene facing. Surface hoar and frost was found around 7500' where the air was moist.
A little higher, some nice feathers growing out of a rock.
A variable crust cover almost everything, melt freeze where sun exposed and wind effected in the shade. It remains supportable in the sun, but off aspects and shady, it is breakable or boiler plate.
Shallow rocky areas have some interesting crystal formation from the temperature gradient.
The large one was turned upside down for a photo, surface hoar to the side.
Weather:
Clear to overcast skies, cool temperatures, even low and in the sun. Little or no wind.
Snow pit:
Evaluation:
Snow pack remains stable. Wind and sun crusting, with a skiff of faceting above and a good layer below, will provide the weak layer if loaded.
Step downs possible depending on strength of the crust, if and when it ever snows again.
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