Alder Ridge

Out to keep progress on this week's freeze-thaw cycle:

• Found no snow at lower elevations
• NW slopes at middle elevation were firm and supportable on ascent, ski pen was 6-8inches on descent
• Dogs started post-holing in isolated pockets above 6000'
• Above 6500', Northerly slopes still held ~ 1 foot of mostly dry snow above a complex of melt-freeze crusts
• Found a soft layer of wet rounding facets below the crust, this was unreactive in stability tests
• Steep and rocky terrain had produced loose dry and loose wet avalanches during the previous two days, but saw no action today.
• Increasing west winds and cloud cover might have helped quash wet loose
• Saw the slightest signs of previous wind loading and no blowing snow

We felt comfortable ascending and descending obvious avalanche paths.

Pit at 6600' N:  HS = 200 cm, 30 cm slab F-4F on top of firm crust complex.  4F rounding facets (1-2m)  below the crust. ECTX x 2.