Quick report
We observed nearly snow-free conditions all the way to the top of Johnstone Peak (9900 ft) on W, S, and E aspects. Shaded NW, N, and NE slopes above 9000 ft held 6-12 in of old weathered snow.
- We observed no obvious signs of instability
- A quick hand-pit at the top of the peak revealed mostly rounding facets (F hard) with a thin decomposing old melt-freeze crust (4F hard) a few inches above the ground
- We could make out an old small avalanche debris pile below a steeper N facing chute (wet loose perhaps from the warm-up a week or so ago?)
- We grabbed a handful of photos of the Boulders and Pioneers to document current conditions
- We saw a gaggle of snow geese migrating (real purdy)