Andesite Peak

Above freezing air temperatures and 100% cloud cover greeted our arrival at Donner Summit this morning. The top 1 cm of the snow surface was wet thanks to cloud cover and above freezing air temperatures last night. We observed surface wet snow on all aspects up to our high point of travel on the summit of Andesite Peak near 8,200'. We spoke to another party who had encountered the same surface wet snow conditions up to near the summit of nearby Castle Peak at around 8,900'. We also noted melt water dripping off snow covered trees at 7,800'.

The surface wet snow was conducive to roller balls, but not yet conducive to wet loose avalanches. We ski cut and/or kicked at the top of at least 5 test slopes and triggered only small to medium size roller balls. It seemed that a little more free water was necessary for the development of a wet loose avalanche problem.

We noted signs of recent E wind scouring at the summit of Andesite Peak. Open areas near creek beds and other areas of ponding remain prolific in this area, similar to other portions of the forecast area.