Timberline: South Side Route

While it was nice to see a few inches of new snow around the south side, it wasn't equally distributed above 6000 ft due to high winds on March 4th. Surfaces are scoured down to ice on windward features and ridgelines, while leeward slopes held softer, 6-12 inch thick slabs of drifted snow. These slabs were generally shallow and isolated across the terrain. Ski or boot crampons would be helpful in steeper terrain or on scoured aspects. 

Instability was confined to wind loaded features.

The snowpack finally saw a solid refreeze during the overnight hours. 3-4 inches of new snow fell over the stout 3/4 crust around the Timberline base area. Unfortunately, the new snow was accompanied by strong W/SW winds, which left many windward features/ridges in the alpine scoured down to ice.  We found better travel on leeward features and within gully depressions that held ribbons of drifted snow. 

Some warming occurred by late morning. Surfaces started feeling sticky below 6500 ft or so. However, between only a few inches of new snow and plenty of wind-stiffened surfaces, wet loose activity was minimal. 

Middle and lower elevations have less new snow and are scrappy.