Warming Temperatures on Jakes Peak

Today we tried to pick a location that would take advantage of the warming temperatures at mid and lower elevations.  We went to the south side of Jakes Peak to see if snow surface conditions were softening.  Overnight temperatures were near or below freezing with daytime highs today forecasted to be much warmer than what has been experienced over the last few days.  The snowpack in this area is well consolidated with up to an inch or so of recent storm snow on top of a firm base.  We descended a prominent southern gully at 11:30am.  Snow conditions above 8000' were firm overall, with light NE winds and some cloud cover preventing softening at that point.  Some areas had soft wet surface snow on top of a very firm crust and other areas were just firm crust.  Below 8000', snow conditions were more consistent, softer, and enjoyable.  Surface snow became sticky below 7200' where any of the recent new snow exists.  Loose wet avalanche activity is expected to increase as temperatures continue to rise this week.