Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Toured out on 4/4 from VA Lakes TH to Return Lake in YNP. We camped below the lake by some open water; there is also open water below Summit Lake. Coverage was good enough that we only had to take off our skis to cross the pass between the VA Lakes drainage and the East Lake drainage. The day was windy and partly cloudy; climbing conditions were excellent.

On 4/5, we climbed and skied the East aspect of Stanton Peak (descended at 1100) and the North aspect of nearby Grey Butte (descended in the afternoon). Ski crampons or other pointy tools pretty much mandatory. Skiing conditions were excellent - corn abounded on all but steep N faces. By the afternoon, solar aspects and even flats held unsupportable baked snow.

On 4/6, we retraced our path to the VA Lakes TH, arriving around 1200 or 1230. Skiing conditions back into the drainage were also excellent corn when we descended around 1100.

The only signs of instability noted were rollerballs and some point releases. There are still some large cornices, specifically SE of Summit Lake.

Signs of Unstable Snow