Morning corn cycle at Carson Pass

We found the approach from Carson Pass to Red Lake Peak to be quite firm, with little evidence of soft snow from yesterday. Here and there were patches of shallow dry snow transitioning to moist, but the majority of our ascent was firm enough that we almost used ski crampons (first day of the season we carried them). 

Clouds and moderate to strong W winds prevented snow surfaces from significant wetting, and our descent of sunny slopes at noon was well timed. We found supportable snow even in the low elevation trees right above the chain-up area at the bottom of our descent. Ski penetration never went deeper than an inch or two.

However, on our drive back up to Carson Pass shortly after noon, many of the steep slopes above the road were shedding small amounts of wet snow. Cloud cover appeared to be thinning and allowing more solar input.