Weather
Stronger than anticipated E wind lasted unti departure from higher elevation ridge at about noon.
Snowpack
Conditions on Red Lake Peak today were a bit windier than anticipated and that resulted in less melting and softening of the snow on the slopes we explored. Roughly following the road to Crater Lake we found sunny slopes softening in the morning sun. Above the lake we followed the ridge and appreciated ski crampons on the firm shady sections. Near the summit, we tried to escape the wind and give the east-facing slopes we intended to descend additional time to soften. It was impressive how bare some of the ridges in this area are due to previous wind scouring. Upon descending we found fairly rough textured snow that was softening below about 9500' but still far from proper corn.