December 21, 2003, Muir Snowfield

Took a chance with the fogged in, clowdy conditions at Pan Point to go higher and see if I could get above the clouds.  I did at about 7500 feet or so.  Skinned up to 9000 feet before the late hour and need to navigate the low visiblity below turned me around.  The wind has clearly hammered the Muir Snowfield.  Skiing was decent with dry, wind packed powder from 9000 down to 7000 feet.  Irregular wind formed ridges (backcountry moguls, I guess) were the norm. Above Pan Point, the cloud cap had turned the fresh powder into an icey, breakable crust.  In the fog, it was slow going.  I think if the cloud cap had disappaited earlier, it would have been the best skiing from 8000 or so down to Pan point - just needed a little sun.