Morning observations from Andesite Peak

Winds limited to immediate ridgetop areas only on Andesite Peak. Rapid warming conditions noted above and below treeline. A decent snow surface refreeze occurred in this area last night. On the slopes traveled in the 7,200' to 8,200' elevation range, open areas held a snow surface refreeze of the top 4 to 6 inches of the snowpack with residual wet snow below. At the same time areas under dense forest canopy held only a 2 inch thick snow surface refreeze with residual wet snow below. By 8:30 am, sun exposed areas had entered melt phase. At 9 am, sun exposed E-SE aspects between 7,200' and 8,200' held 0.5 to 1 inch of surface wet snow over supportable melt-freeze crust.