May 21, 2009, Chair Peak - Snow Lake

Just a quick post to give insight on the conditions from Source Lake to Snow via lower Chair Peak Basin.  Skinned this from 10a - 2p and kicked off lots of wet slabs.  3-6 inch crowns on that melt/freeze from the weekend, made for easily navigational ascents up looker right of the lower cliffs.  Most natural triggering was happening in the chutes between Bryant - Chair in am and Chair - Roosevelt in pm.  Started a few slides on SE aspects with effect to run-out zones.  Definitely moving day.  Ski cut the knolls as descending into Snow and needed to stop/start to stay above moving snow.  Imagine most of the easily triggered slides have already moved since Thursday, but there are still quite a few 3-6 inch crown waiting to move with more sun and trigger.  Upper Chair Basin is really ready to go big.  Good fish mouth seperation below rock faces with obvious convexity building at the seam.  When this goes, it will roll to Source.  If you have to go in, stay looker right as much possible.  Look for yourself on the pic.  Most folks were staying safe on the North aspects.  Good idea.