Observations from Rubicon Peak

On the summit of Rubicon Peak at 11 am, NE winds were fairly light with no signs of blowing snow observed on Rubicon or on surrounding Peaks. Air temperatures at 9,000' had just climbed above freezing at that time. Snow surface conditions on N-NE aspects were well settled, unconsolidated, and unaffected by melt with the exception dripping meltwater off trees. Tree drippings were most prominent at 8,000' and below.

Traveling over to E aspect terrain below the summit buttress revealed 1 cm thick melt-freeze crust on the snow surface. Looking out into Desolation Wilderness, signs of roller ball activity/loose wet instability from the past two days was limited. Only minor roller balls were seen on a couple of E aspects. Vantage point did not allow for many views of SE-S aspect terrain.