Waaaaay South …….

First time in this area this winter, we found the snowpack and conditions to be pretty much as expected. We sledded up to 1900 m, then ski-toured up through open glades to a ridgetop at 2200 m. We saw no new avalanches, no signs of instability, and no reactivity to our skiing. In keeping with the season-so-far, the day was warm, with zero degrees at 1900 m, -4 at ridgetop, and only light SW winds. The day was overcast, but the last couple of days of sunshine have left icicles hanging off the trees and (more importantly!) a (just!) skiable sun crust on steeper sun-facing areas. In shaded areas however, the snow is still dry and the skiing was great. We did notice surface hoar growing in some sheltered and shaded areas.