December 5

White Pine

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

7500'-10k, angles over 35°, all aspects.

Snow conditions

1-3" settled snow from the storm. Winds were more active in White Pine, creating some shallow drifts, noted on Red Top and Red Baldy. One natural sluff from the storm was observed on Long John Silver, with debris reaching the apron.

long-john-silver

Surface hoar was observed, both at the trailhead and in the mid elevation meadow,

surface-hoar-feathers

with well developed feathers.

Wind during the day, gusting to around 15 mph, at times, was moving some snow at upper elevations. The latest rain crust was quite variable in depth and strength, ranging from thin and fragile on upper elevation north facing, to stout and strong below 9000' and on west facing. WSW facing was getting damp in the afternoon. Best, most consistent skiing was lower angled wnw facing at mid elevation.

Weather

Skies were partly cloudy to bluebird. Some gusty variable wind during the day. Moderate temperatures.

Snow pit

lake-peak-snow-profile

Evaluation

Snow remains stable.

Possiblity exsists for active shallow wind drifts at upper elevation in exposed shady locations.Wet activity should be limited to rollers on sun warmed aspects.

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December 5 journal

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