Matier and Slalok

Excellent spring conditions. As per usual from the last couple weeks, north facing snow above 2000m has kept fresh and rides very well. It "feels" like 20 cm of powder on a very supportive base. Very hot in the sun on the climb, was in a T shirt on the summit of Matier. Snow surface didn't get wet though!! Tough skinning above the lake with dust on slippery crust. Matier glacier is filled in but definitely still a few holes. No signs of any avalanche activity, only thing happening is a little sluffing on the steeps. Very little snow below treeline. Walked with microspikes to/from the upper Joffre lake as recommended by a report last week.