Stevens Peak

I went to Stevens Peak today and found a superficial refreeze that was softening around 9 am. There were areas of already soft, melted snow underneath tree canopies and areas of barely frozen surface snow in open areas at lower elevations in the morning. There was an occasional light wind as I climbed, but even at higher elevation ridges, where it was strongest, it wasn't countering the warmth of the day, and the snow was softening quickly. The biggest hazard we encountered was likely the very grippy and slow snow at mid to low elevations on our return.