March 20, 2009, Mt. Margaret

Snow VERY heavy by mid-day Friday. Periods of sun, light rain and freezing rain didn't help.

We took Randy's shortcut up to the road due east of Mt. Margaret. We traversed too high on the east-facing slope, got above the plantation and into open slopes that would be best avoided in this weekend's conditions.

Given the wet-sponge snow consistency, and likelihood of rain, we did not go to the top of the ridge. Skied some of the lower slopes of old second-growth timber, then rejoined the road descent from there (in rain).

Evidence of recent very small point release avalanche activity on both east and west aspects around 4000' below outcroppings and mature stands.