April 19
Porter fork-Pole canyon-Porter Fork
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-10400, angles over 35°, north facing aspects.
Snow conditions
Rain to at least 10k beginning the storm left reminders hanging in the trees.
Cooling as the storm progressed added dense snow with a light density cap, also leaving rimed "snocicles"
decorating trees near the ridge.
Lingering cloud deck limited views but
I was able to see the rock slab in Silver Bell (slump below the glide crack) and Raymond.
Both slabs show a little glide, no slide. Rain-snow sluffs also visible.
There was 2-4" of actual snow above about 8500' which skied like the top of a snocone on north facing descents.
Cooling by afternoon left a surface crust below snow line which was both breakable and not so.
Weather
Overcast to foggy skies with occasional patches of partly cloudy. Mild temperatures at lower elevations, moderate up high.
Wind was from the west , gusting over 25 mph along the ridge, moving a little snow.
Evaluation
Stable snow conditions, drifting on lee aspects was avoided.
Active wind drift potential at upper elevations. Wet activity with warming, deep slab and glide possible.
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