Shallow Snowpack and Variable Conditions on Fireplug

Ascending the south side of the Fireplug, we found firm supportable crusts, shallow snow, and some exposed dirt. Once we crested the ridge, wind packed and wind scoured surfaces existed in exposed areas. In sheltered areas below treeline down to about 8600 ft, a few inches of weak, soft, unconsolidated surface snow still existed. Digging into the snowpack on these sheltered northerly slopes, revealed a shallow snowpack consisting of weak snow with no real slab layers. Looking down from our snowpit at ~8600 ft, we could see a plethora of exposed rocks, stumps, logs, and other obstacles so we chose to head back up to the ridge from that point. On the way back down the south facing slopes, we managed to link together continuous snow with careful and slow skiing.