July 5, 2010, Deje Peak, Sunrise

Since we left Seattle on June 24, we have experienced sunshine every day.  Today, we came back home because €œCliff Mass said summer was starting€, and it was actually sunny at Sunrise this afternoon.  I started skinning from the hairpin turn at Sunrise at 1pm under patchy blue skies with some sun.  I was able to skin the entire route to the summit of Deje Peak and saw the fattest marmot imaginable.  The coverage is still excellent at the various entry points along the ridge.  I was surprised that the sun cups were minimal, but there was a deep slide runnel in the middle of the steep funnel below the peak.  The snow was soft with a couple of inches of ski penetration and a few hissers were flowing.  It was pleasant to return to the green of the PNW, and as always felt good to be home.