December 13
Alta Guard station, Cardiff, upper Mill B south, Mineral fork.
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
7200-10600', angles over 35°, all aspects.
Snow conditions
Crusted snow surface on all aspects but upper elevation shady. There was some slip sliding on those crusts.
A skier almost took a slider over the Cardiff weather station cliffs, north facing(not my group).
Surfaces softened during the day, except west facing, up high.
Dry snow was found on upper elevation north facing with mid and lower elevations somewhat damp.
The rime crust wasn't an issue on the exit. It had softened, just enough.
Weather
Clear skies early, high clouds and flat light by early afternoon. Temperatures were mild. Wind from the wsw, gusting over 15mph along the ridges.
Avalanche activity
No activity was observed during the day.
Santiagos in Mineral fork had some large rollers and cinnamon rolls left over from yesterday's warming.
It wasn't a good idea to try and plow through those as they were refrozen.
Evaluation
Snow was mostly stable.
Warm overnight temperatures and cloudy skies suggest a marginal refreeze.
Wet activity and potential for glide remain the concerns, likely minimal.
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