November 3
Mineral Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7000-10400', angles over 35°, north and east facing aspects.
Snow conditions
Old snow line is around 8500'. Snow from the recent storm on October 26-27 lingers in the shade at 7500' or so. There is a stout melt freeze crust on all aspects retaining the old snow layering. Exceptions would be shallow spots on upper elevation shady and wind scoured, rocky terrain.
The recent snow was faceting from being in the shade almost all day in the room of doom Most pronounced was near the surface and at the interface with the stout mf crust. Surface hoar was also observed,
mostly below 10k and only in the shade.
Weather
Blue skies, mild temperatures and light to non exsistent wind.
Avalanche activity
Several old wet slides were observed, notably, two from the rocky cliffs in upper Santiago.
Other smaller slides were observed in the room of doom.
Snow pit
That's a clean shear!
Snow profile
Evaluation
Stable snow was found on all aspects at all elevations. The only recent instability was small rollers on sun exposed aspects.
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