Rapid Warming with Supportable Snow before 11am on Rubicon Peak

A relatively good refreeze of the snow surface occurred on Rubicon Peak with a 4'' melt freeze crust.  Mostly firm conditions existed on the way up the N side in the morning with densely treed areas not receiving as good of a refreeze.  Moving onto the E face at 10:30am, the snow surface was already soft and rapidly warming.  Boot pen was 4-6'', but still provided supportable snow conditions before 11am.  Increasing cumulus clouds began in the late morning hours.