President's Ridge

Looking more for good snow than instability today, we headed for President's Ridge. While the ascent on the ridge itself was a winded mix of scoured crusts, sculpted drifts, and sastrugi, we were able to find some soft, protected snow in the northeast gully of the Firn path. With good stability and decent coverage, we opted for the James Bond egress through the tight gully. Snow was occasionally slabby or punchy in the gully, but our egress was quick and easy. The meadows from about 2500' to Archangel Road held the best snow and nicest turns of the day. 

No snowpits today, only scouting surface conditions. Below about 2500' held the best quality snow with mostly soft, protected, shallow facets. As you gained elevation terrain became more and more wind-affected. The climb up the ridge was a mix of firm windboard, exposed crusts, and thin sastrugi. On the descent, we found some areas of protected snow in the northeast-facing gullies of the Firn path. The gully bottom itself was a mix of breakable and supportable wind slabs, but coverage was good and egress was easy.