Mineral Fork
Elevation, slope angles and aspects:
6500'-10200', angles over 35°, north and east aspects.
Avalanche activity:
No avalanche activity was observed. Two very localized collapses felt in wind drifted areas, one in the upper bowl and one mid slope, Santiago run out.
Slopes skied:
Upper Mineral bowl form the west saddle over looking Mill B south continuing down the Santiago run out.to the flat.
Snow conditions:
Skinned from the road in 2 or so inches of new snow. That amount increased to about 6" settled in upper elevations. Snow line is around 9000' on the shady side.
Wind damage was noted at around that elevation becoming more widespread in the upper bowl, with drifts up to a coupla feet deep near the ridge. The drifting was patchy with a good wind drift for 10-20' next to scoured old surfaces. Other than the collapses, no indication of potential movement noted.
Marginal old snow cover requires walking below 9500'.
Weather:
Moderate temperatures, with upper elevation wind to around 25 mph along the ridge. Gusty and swirling. Lower elevations did receive a bit of warming during the day.
Overcast with a few flurries in the morning, clearing by afternoon.
Snow pit:
Evaluation:
Snow remains mostly stable. Localized potential for active wind drift release with a good thump in the right location. Natural activity possible with continued loading.
Upper elevation shady slopes have a weak total snow pack. Variability exists on off aspects from sun crusting. Wind crusts are widespread in wind exposed, variable in depth and distribution.
Current forecast of another1"+ of water by Saturday may induce some naturals and certainly warrant increased caution to avoid human triggers.
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