February 7
Alta guard station-eybrow-cardiac ridge-room of doom-marietta-mineral exit
Elevations, slope angles, aspects
7200-10800', angles approaching 40°, south early, then north facing aspects.
Snow conditions
4-10" of new snow, aspect and elevation dependent, over a mostly crusted base. Soft old snow was found in upper Maretta, northeast facing and sheltered from wind and sun. Cracking only within new snow layering and no collapsing.
The new snow was well bonded to most old surfaces. One fracture was observed following a ski cut but, movement was minimal. No day time heating effect observed.
Weather
Overcast skies into late afternoon with snow showers. Winds were from the seldom observed southeast, gusting into the low 20 mph range along the upper elevation ridges. Moderate temperatures.
Evaluation
Good bonding of the new snow. Winds were moving some snow but drifting was only along the ridges. Ski cuts produced some sluffing on the steepest slopes involving new snow only.
Instability would be soft slabs in wind affected, continued new snow sluffs and wet activity with any warming. Significant snowfall and or increased wind would promote increased instability.