Warm in Desolation

By the time I reached consistent snow on the south flanks of Pyramid this morning snow surfaces were soft and becoming softer. Large steep slopes would likely have produced large loose wet avalanches so I did my best to avoid them. Coverage is still adequate for travelling across the Aloha zone but lakes and streams are opening up and creating some route finding challenges. As I travelled through Desolation the snow became increasingly wet and soft and I focused on leaving the area while avoiding steeper terrain. 

Photo 1: At 9am on a south facing slope at 8000 feet. Surface snow was supportable to skis but deeper snow was still wet.

Photo 2: Small loose wet slide on steepest part of a slope. 

Photo 3: Multiple glide cracks on the east face of Pyramid. 

Photo 4: The previously observed large avalanche on Price is still visible (it was more impressive in person, than it this photo).

Photo 5: Crossing Echo Lakes by skis looks to be done for the season. 

Photo 6: The large cornice on Echo Peak has broken in a couple areas and sent large chunks down triggering loose wet slides below.