Mammoth Mountain Backcountry

Strong winds and afternoon clouds kept warming at bay, preventing the onset of wet snow instability in the Mammoth area. Looking ahead to tomorrow's snowfall, today was about taking stock of the anticipated new/old interface. On all except steep north-facing slopes melt-freeze crusts of varying thickness are the dominant surface. On shaded and wind-protected north slopes near-surface facets will be a concern with a slab developing over them in the next 24 hours. If this does become a problem it will most likely be confined to true north aspects, drainages with higher snowfall totals and terrain that promotes gentle drifting from southwest winds but is wind-protected enough to preserve fragile surface forms.