Esha Peak -

I set out with low expectations and a conservative mindset this morning given the poor freezing conditions overnight. I was surprised by the surface conditions and the lack of observed instability. However, temps were rising quickly, the sun was strong and I heard a few cracks of rockfall in the distance. All good reasons to get down early according to plan.

• Esha Canyon had a surprisingly good overnight surface freeze. The snow was hard and slick. I was still skittering around with ski crampons on until about 10000' where the east facing side of the canyon was approaching ripe corn conditions at 9:15.
• East aspects at high elevation in this area catch strong morning sun early. I was sinking about 4" deep with my skis off at 10900' by 10:15.
  • I found 15 cm of very wet (soaking gloves) to wet (make a hard snowball) snow sitting on a 5cm thick, icy crust at this elevation.
• I moved over to a North aspect at a similar elevation to compare. Here the surface snow was moist (make a snowball) 5-10 cm below the surface where it turned drier. 
  • Here I was sinking about 6" deep on foot and 2" on skis.
  • High elevation north aspects were a mix of dappled wind affect, old scabby wind board and discontinuous patches of thin, shiny sun crust.
• The temperature was 48F at my highpoint of 11200' at 11:15 a.m.
• I ski cut through a small bowl feature that faced North, then East. I saw no signs of instability on this test slope at 10900' around 11:15.
• Skiing out there were several small cascades of water draining hanging snowfields on the ridge which divide Esha Canyon from McGee Creek. These were not active when I climbed the canyon early in the morning.

High elevation N aspects on Esha Peak are still transitioning from dry winter snow. East aspects above 10000' are getting wet.