Nowlin Peak

I traveled to the summit of Nowlin Peak (~9800') via the south slope. The temperatures were cold this morning - well below freezing. Every aspect and elevation experienced a solid refreeze and the crust from the past few freezing nights remained supportable throughout the day. At upper elevations, this crust was 2 - 3 inches thick on south aspects. Upper elevations also held 6 - 8" of new snow. This new snow was dry above 9200 feet. Below that, new snow totals were less, and new snow was becoming moist in the mid day sun. While the new snow did not have any slabby characteristics, it did slide easily on it's crust interface. As temperatures increase over the next couple days, and skies become clearer, I suspect this crust will allow small avalanches to run long distances. 

The snowpack at the lower elevations is metling away. Slopes below 7500' are thin if not earth on solar aspects. While access is becoming slightly more difficult, the Cache Creek road remains snow-covered, and the upper elevations still hold a deep snowpack. South facing terrain at 9500 was still a little over 7 feet deep. Skies remained clear today in this area, and despite the strong sun, I did not see any signs of warming. It appears the shed will come another day.