We have received quite a bit of snow and rain over the last 10 days. This past weekend we experienced warmer temperatures in the valley, but most of the snow above 10,000 feet stayed, so expect ice and snow to linger in shaded areas and north facing peaks. Cold mornings and shorter days have not allowed for melting in these areas and any new storms will most likely compound existing winter conditions. Most of the classic couloirs, like the Black Ice Couloir, have not received enough melt-freeze to make for adequate alpine ice. This is not a good time of year to attempt long climbs for the first time and climbers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather patterns.
