Quick report
- Cracking
- isolated
Departed Timberline 1145, Returned 1730. Cloudy w some breaks, westerly breezy and intermittent precip to 8K’. Then bit more windy bluebird until Devils Kitchen where winds increased and seemed to come up White River Headwall/Steele Cliffs. Skinning was efficient wo crampons. While senses were on high alert on traverse above White River Headwall, there were no concerning indicators. There was some wind slab concern but nothing seemed reactive for my track beyond a pillow near the Palmer midway station. That said, my mid-tour obs captures a crown under Castle Crags w similar aspect terrain like White River Headwall, West Crater Rim looking ready to pop….tho I tested the lip under IllumSaddle wo issue. Up high, ski quality was good if firm/tad chunky in spots. Below Silcox I aborted every venture off cat track wi seconds to protect knee ligaments. On the whole, a huge improvement over El Nino early season albatross. Hopefully game on (knocking on wood as I hit Submit).