Loose Wet and Cornice Collapse on Castle Peak

Marginal overnight refreeze at best with mostly sunny skies by mid morning and strong SW winds above 8000'.  Some large previous loose wet avalanches observed on the North side of Castle Peak.  Through most of the morning hours ski pen was acceptable along the south ridge with boot pen of ankle to shin deep.  The north side had slightly firmer conditions with areas of breakable crusts.  By early to mid afternoon, ski supportability declined at 8500' and below to ankle and shin deep.  Loose wet avalanches were easily skier triggered on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.  A natural cornice collapse was observed mid afternoon off the south ridge on an E aspect at 8000'.