January 22
Area:
Cardiff and Mineral.
Elevations, slope angles and aspects:
7000’-11000’, angles to 45°, all aspects.
Avalanche activity:
One new snow sluff slide beginning as a point release and spreading to about 20’ wide as it traveled downhill, perhaps 200’, West-northwest facing in the lower chute Mineral fork entered from High Ivory-rock slabs saddle in Cardiff. Probably the result of sun warming on the rocks in the early afternoon.
No other activity noted.
Slopes skied:
Keyhole entry into main Cardiff, Cardiac bowl from the base of the chutes and the chute from the rock slab-High Ivory saddle into Mineral Fork out Mineral.
Snow surface and conditions:
South facing remained dry in the am. This may have changed by afternoon as it was a bluebird. 4”-6” on other aspects, somewhat less at lower elevations. The winds have done a number on a variety of elevations and aspects in Cardiff, both drifting and scouring. Drifts are shallow and non reactive other thaqn localized cracking around the skis.
Weather:
Bluebird with moderate temperatures. A bit of lingering wind from the east at times less than 20 mph.
Evaluation:
Isolated wind drifts retaining some potential for avalanche, which should be shallow. Increased potential for wet activity with sun warming and daytime heating on the sunny aspects.
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