January 13
Cardiff and Mineral Fork
Elevation, slope angles and aspects:
7000-11'000', angles approaching 40° all aspects
Avalanche activity:
Surface sluffing on steep slopes.
Slopes skied:
Little Superior ne facing, Cardiac ridge and Mineral Fork(room of doom
Snow conditions:
4" new snow over the recent storm. Medium density with a little graupel mixed in. Consistent layering in Cardiff. Upper Mineral Fork had a distinct rime crust under the new snow.
That layer was found from the top to where the angles flattens below Santiago. Impact on skiability was minimal, although it could be felt on every turn .Clouds, with instability showers, prevented heating of the sun exposed.
Weather:
Overcast, with cool temperatures. Winds were less than 20 mph even on the highest ridges, from the north, adding a wind chill factor.
Evaluation:
Stable snow. Surface sluffing was within the upper coupla inches only packing little punch. Future instability would be from the warming and sunny skies forecast and any period of stronger wind.
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