Baldy-Palisade Creek

We ascended the SW ridge of Baldy. Snow underwent a hard refreeze and was body-weight supportable until around 11 AM. Warmer temperatures started breaking down surface snow, but only the top 10-20 cm were fully wet, with rounded, moist snow below. We generally did not observe conditions that produce larger, gouging wet-loose other than on steep mid-low due-south slopes.  Low to mid-elevations averaged 1-3 feet of snow. By 2 PM, this snow was unsupportable, isothermal, and easy to produce roller balls, but no other natural activity occurred while we were out. Dry snow was still noted on upper elevation northerlies, and light winds, in addition to some thicker cloud cover helped keep cool the snow surface. Cornices along the ridgeline were sagging and cracking, and we chose to ski a line without any significant overhead hazards. 

With cold temperatures moving in, snow surfaces should lock up and receive a dusting of new snow over the next few days.