Cold day at Placer with valley temps approx -15F. Attempted to ride up to
Squirrel Flats but lower drainage not filled in yet for the direct route up.
Instead went to Skookum glacier and rode up to the saddle just west of
Carpathian. Good snow quality below 3,000′. Skied upper bowl from 3800′ down
to 3000′ and disappointed to find a 1″ thick breakable wind crust from the
relatively minor wind event (gusts in the 20s) from the prior evening. Made
for difficult skiing, yet crust was not at all apparent while riding sleds and
no observed shooting cracks from either sleds or skis. No avalanche activity
noted throughout the day.