Quick report
Skinned to the lower section of Avy Swathe via Kendall Knobs. No signs of instability. Had to deviate from PCT skin track to avoid creek crossings. Between trees, there was a pencil to knife hard supportable rain crust. Did not ride well, and the tree bombs over the last few weeks led to a very bumpy surface. In open slopes and past years’ avalanche runouts between trees, the snow varied. At lower elevations, I saw an unsupportable crust in some areas w/ a 3-4 cm ski pen and boot to shin deep boot pen. Most of what I saw was a firm rain crust that had iced over with 1-2 inches of new snow. This led to tedious travel conditions on steep slopes. Near and above treeline, there was corn snow. On some aspects, the snow depth was minimal (as low as 3-4 cm). The skiing was decent on sun-exposed slopes.