Red conditions Nov.30 2010

Hiked up Red Mtn proper last night…fun short tour via headlamp. The 20cm of snow yesterday did wonders to a pretty heinous snowpack, but it's still variable. Pretty easy walking where the windslab formed last week, super soft elsewhere. Snowpack averaged 60cm to 80cm and varied greatly top to bottom (down to 30cm in spots), with the most snow seemingly at mid-mountain. Turns were slow but fun and I didn't hit anything. The soft snow on the wind crust kept me afloat but as soon as I slowed down or stopped I'd sink into the bottomless base beneath. I'd stay away from steeper slopes (did the back run) until we get another good dump. Let's hope we get some for the Dec. 11 opening or it could be delayed or marginal at best, especially for the upper mountain.