Slide Mountain

We toured the NW and S aspects of Slide Mountain this morning. Our ascent on NW aspects held near surface facets with 0.5 to 2 inches of ski penetration in well shaded, wind protected areas. Firmer, highly variable snow surface conditions were encountered in wind exposed areas near the summit. South aspect terrain held well established melt-freeze conditions that became smooth and supportable from about 9,200' on down to Ophir Creek at 8,000'. Snow cover on this south aspect is melting out quickly and may lose continuous snow cover from top to bottom very soon.

No signs of instability were observed. The amount of surface wet snow at midday was insufficient to allow for a wet loose avalanche problem.