McCue Ridge 5300 East Central

Quick report

1st visit to latest snowpack. There is 135 cm on the ground at 5360. 12/18 crust is down 35 cm. This top snow is fist tapering by to 4 finger just above the crust. And was well bonded to the crust (ECTx). No signs of previous avalanche activity or instability. Expected to find wind transported snow, but did not. It was a short tour. HST is 80 cm! Wahoo. Once down 80 cm snow is moist and warm (O C). Ski quality was remarkably good. Air temps were between 27 and 29 f all afternoon: snowing S1. Wind was light out of NE then SE. Not much to report, but really nice to finally make pleasant turns. Hope this is the start of winter. Only available open terrain was no more than 25-30 degrees. Others in the area skied much steeper north aspects with no avalanches, but did say it was pretty boney. Long report do to so few obs. Happy solstice.