Mt Manson

Trip up Mt Manson. Lucked out with 20cm-30cm of new, light snow overnight which rested nicely on top of the thermal crust that had formed over the weekend. Some advantageous depositing in sheltered, low-angle areas in the alpine made for excellent, safe skiing! Started “early” from the cabin and reached the summit by noon. Cold morning with minimal winds (variable direction). Summited via the easy east ridge. The new snow was uniformely deposited below treeline, and unevenly distributed in the alpine. Things felt safe except the new snow was willing to move when unsupported at a kickturn, sliding underfoot on the crust at the steepest part of the ridge (~33 deg.). The ~10-25cm of new snow provided our only means of (sometimes precarious) purchase on the icy crust on the ridge. No propagation, and overall the storm snow was unconsolidated and loose where we were. Avoided the big open slopes to the climbers left for fear of cross-loading and convexities, as well as the cornice big scaries to the right. Skied down in and adjacent to the skin track along the ridge, then enjoyed the series of low angle ramps and gullies back down to the valley. No signs of instability, though multiple small sloughs and storm slabs were naturally releasing on an alpine slope below a steep south facing cliff feature (visible in photo). The crust(s) could be felt on wind scoured features in the alpine, and everything below treeline.