Quick report

Round Top

Avalanche.org observerCentral Sierra Nevada
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Quick report

Started tour around 730am with plan to circumnavigate Round Top. Previous night had a good refreeze but snow was edgeable and made for efficient skinning. Skinned to the saddle between round top and three sisters for a south facing corn harvest. Did not need crampons even with firmer morning conditions. Descended the south face at 1030am on fantastic corn snow for 2500 vertical ft. with only a few rocks to work your way around. After our descent we walked along summit city creek and ascended the drainage between east and main peak of roundtop. Boot packed the majority of the way with minimal boot penetration and further evidence of a good refreeze the night prior. Topped out on the eastern peak of round top at 2pm and descended on harder, north facing terrain for about 10 turns until it softened up. Found a mixture of sugary corn snow and hidden soft pockets leftover from the last storm. Kept high against the southwest side of elephants back and was able to ski/glide back to the parking area with a few sidesteps mixed in by 4pm. Overall ideal spring conditions with no signs of instability. Very comfortable skiing conditions mixed with some good timing leant itself to an excellent day.