Quick report
South climb conditions up to 10,300ft. 0700: Timberline lot, 6,000ft, 35F, moderate WNW wind, firm melt/freeze conditions. Climbed east of Salmon River. Skins only to 7,500ft, then Skins + crampons. 08:35: Top of Palmer, 8,500ft, approx 35F, moderate WNW wind. Felt cold. Firm conditions. At 8,800ft, switched to boot packing with crampons. Skinning was inefficient due to firm and rough surface. 10:40: Devils Kitchen area, 10,300ft. Temp at Mt Rainier’s Camp Muir was 20F at same elevation. Cloud above summit prevented solar radiation from softening surfaces. It dissipated around 11:30. Where to ski? South Climb route, Zig Zag were all roughed up (chicken heads, bear claws, ice chunks, and mostly frozen). Took a couple turns on White River headwall but too firm (but smooth) for safe skiing. Re-entered lower at 9,500 on SE aspect. Found good conditions below 9,000ft on SE aspects. Crevasses are opening. A lot of debris from wet slab during warm spell. Exited at 6200ft.