Castle Peak Observation

Variable snow density and crusts with aspect and time. High winds across summit plateau transporting loose snow, trace amount of new snow from this morning(?). South aspects were semi supportable with some loose snow in shaded pockets. Northerly aspects were a mix of densities from temperature condensing and wind compression. Skiing was variable in North gullies from soft dense snow to wind compressed layers. High winds depositing snow over the large cornice just below the tree topped prominence mid ridge. A slide of unknown timing deposited debris 30' wide below the cornice and ran into the choke several hundred feet below. A traverse line from the ridge accessed the base of the start zone. Light was difficult and no picture was possible to share. Two lines were skied in separate gullies with no cracking or propagation seen. Several cornice kicks up top and slashes within the wind deposited dunes on the Western side produced no slab disturbance.  Snow was more wet and balling than fracturing as it descended.  Exit on SW slopes was temperature warmed and slow at 2pm.