Rogers South & Hermit

Low traction on icey surface up to treeline. Ski crampons recommended going up to Hermit. Travel on the Swiss glacier was simple with no visible crevasses or bergschrund. Some minor wind loading on the bootpack heading up to the col near the summit. Variable wind slabs with a maximum observed slab depth of 3 inches, other areas with no wind deposited at all. Near the base of the boot pack, cracks propagated readily on the thin wind slabs. Snowpack underneath slabs was remarkably consistent, like a study block of chalk at least a meter deep. Multiple group members reported hearing small drum-like sounds, but no massive whoomfs. A probe in the flats ~500m from the start of the boot pack showed a snow depth of 3.1m. Skiing on the mellow section of the Swiss glacier was fluffy and excellent. Crust got worse heading down the Hermit descent. Some small size 1 point releases were observed in the morning, likely from earlier days. Lots of hard and congealed rollers on the more sun affected slopes. Tree skiing for the last ~1.5km of the descent was a surprisingly effective option, rather than the crusty and sun-affected open areas.