Windy day at Red Lake Peak

Windy day at Red Lake Peak, observed to keep the snow surface cool and firm on all but the steepest, sunniest slopes, or at low elevations where snow is discontinuous anyhow. Ski crampons were helpful in several places. NE aspects above Crater Lake were still firm on our descent at 11:30am. After, we ascended the ridge for a short lap on the sunny side down to the highway. This snow surface was much warmer and sticky, but only the top 2" and no signs of wet instabilities were observed. We descended one of the steeper gullies on this side, and turns did not entrain additional snow. The lower elevations of Crater Lake Rd were about 50/50 mixed dirt and snow, and the snow was very deep and soft in the afternoon, which made for tiresome downhill postholing.

Pic 1: The approach from Carson Pass was still mostly snow, but required some travel over dirt. This ascent gully may not last long.

Pic 2: Recent cornice failure. Some larger cornices still looming in the area.

Pic 3: Sun cupping on most aspects traveled today. Chattery descent down to Crater Lake.

Pic 4: The sunny side of Crater Lake won't hold snow much longer.

Pic 5: The "shady" side of Crater Lake, though now getting plenty of sun, still has lots of snow that remained firm today. 

Pic 6: A recent wet loose avalanche in Polaris Bowl. Full zoom, so not the best resolution, but it appears there are still large cornices in this area. A handful of snomo trailers at Red lake indicated people may still be accessing this terrain.