Observation: Monte Cristo

It was pretty simple in the Monte area - avoid the wind and you avoid the avalanches which was easy. We sought the best snow. We didn't see any signs that conditions were especially tricky.

However, it sounds like conditions were more sensitive near Ben Lomond and other places compared to what we found. I'm unclear that was a function of more wind or other factors.

Powder! About as good as it gets. However, open/exposed slopes were wind affected. We consistently found the best snow as soon as we dropped a little in elevation.   

All the trees had a coating of rime! But the snow was still soft.