December 19

Grizzly Gulch, east pass Silver Fork, west bowl Silver Fork, many splendors Days Fork, Spruces.

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

7500-10k, angles to 35°, all aspects

Snow conditions

I found about 4" new snow, adda couple during the day, with a settled storm total of 12+.

Snow density decreased a little while out skiing, capping higher density snow with, density inversion over the old surface.

Snow below about 8000' was probably over 20%, wet and soggy.

lower-trail

Ski cuts and cornice drops(large and sensitive) produced no results other than sluffing.

Weather

Snow showers all day with poor visibility. Moderate temperatures. Winds increased to over 20 mph in the afternoon.

Evaluation

All bets are off.

Layer cake of new snow means stability predictions, aren't.

Increase in wind and forecast of more snow don't help.

Sad to lose the low elevation base.

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