December 7

Alta guard, upper Cardiff, Mill B South, Mineral Fork

Elevations, slope angles and aspects

7200-10800', angles over 35°, all aspects.

Snow conditions

The 2-4" recent snow is quickly faceting. It was light and dry to begin with so...bfd.

Wind and sun damage was extensive on all aspects with crusts the rule, both on the surface and buried a few inches deep.

Shallow wind drifts (thicker crust) were scattered around with some cracking and collapsing, no movement.

Ski conditions varied from dust on crust to herky-jerky.

Surface hoar was found at lower elevations

mineral-surface-hoar

near water sources.

Weather

Skies were clear, temperatures mild in the sun, cooling in the shade. Winds were light.

Snow pit

Cardiac bowl

cardiac-snow-profile

Mineral fork "room of doom".

mineral-snow-profile

Evaluation

Stable snow in all areas.

Weakest snow is at the surface or buried under an inch or two of crust.

That layering would add interest if it ever snowed again.

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