December 18
Porter fork, upper Neffs, Porter fork.
Elevations, slope angles and aspects
6200-9780', angles over 35°, north and west facing aspects
Snow conditions
2-6" recent snow over a variable base.
Recent snow has recrystallized with sandboxing the rule.
Slick hard crusts remain under the sand in wind exposed terrain, mostly near ridges.
West facing softened to corn like by afternoon in the sun exposed.
Support on skis remains good overall but,
there are shallow snow areas(less than 12") where skiing is, on the ground.
There are also widespread areas with crust-facet sandwiches. One turn on a crust under the new with sluffing, the next a buried tip under facets.
Down off the ridge in sheltered north facing, extended turns in soft and creamy can be found.
Elevations below about 8k have a very shallow snow pack.
Weather
Partly cloudy skies, mild temperatures. Wind was light.
Snow pit
Evaluation
Snow is mostly stable.
There are some isolated wind drifts which crack and dinner plate with ski cuts.
Sluffing is also common but, the long running sluffs found in Silver and Days forks the other day, were not observed.
Weakest snow remains at or near the surface and most is resting on a dissolving crust.
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