Peak 3

Toured up Peak 3 to continue to track snowpack trends and conditions of the area. We found wind-drifted snow and bare ground in the alpine throughout our tour. We did not find any signs of unstable snow but did note some natural loose snow avalanches that occured on a southerly face of the Wedge, likely from warming. Recent warm temperatures and strong sun seemed to have formed a 2" crust on the surface of steep southerly aspects. Surface conditions are generally firm and it would be a good idea to travel with microspikes, crampons, ice axes, and other sharps to prevent a long and potentially consequential slide. Ski quality was like riding a firm groomer, maybe bring the carving skis if you got them!

Observed evidence of two old natural loose avalanches on a southerly aspect of the Wedge. No other red flags observed.

Very low snow coverage and icy conditions until we got into the proper gully of Peak 3. Walking without skis made a fair bit of the approach easier. Dug a quick hand pit just below the summit on a south aspect. Found a 2" thick sun/warming effect crust on the surface above a wind slab formed last week. Did not dig any formal pits or conduct any instability tests. Surface conditions were firm and skied like a hard groomer. 

Visually it appears that the coverage of the snowpack is shrinking, a lot of the terrain we saw today was mostly bare ground. Most of the snowpack in this area continues to be consolidated in gullies and alpine bowls. (See pictures)