Quick report
Toured the road up to the Pass for some outside time and skied some pockets off the lower ridge/Bennits. As previously reported, the recent winds, low snow, and exposed rocks made for a depressing December image. The road is now extremely hard pack with pockets of firmer/ icy wind board and bumpy frozen footpints. You know it's not great when you see more bike tracks than ski tracks. Where we toured off the road, it was various thickness of, you gessed it, more wind board and slippery tundra. Some sections were breakable and some were so firm I blew my ski off while trying to stomp an edge in. The skiing was firm, chattery, and uninspiring. Dust on that firm windbaord. Our biggest concern was sliding out and not being able to stop if we fell. We did find a new to me crown and debris pile on the lower ridge that parallels the road. Im not sure how old it was. Maybe from last round of wind? There didn't seem to be much, if any snow available, for transport today. So, Im guessing a couple days old if not last weekend? Photo attached 75 ish ft wide and ran to the lower bench above the creek. A good reminder that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Temps: 7F at the car. Blue bird. Light breeze at the car and top of pass. Wind was mostly calm through most of the road. No formal snow test were done.