Jan 27, 2013, -- Jove Peak.

Followed Smithbrook road to first clearcut. then skinned up through forest to Rainy Pass.  Snow in forest was really bumpy hard crust with a few inches new snow.  Ski crampons helpful in this section.  Descended Rainy creek road to clearcut openning and skied down to reintersect road -- maybe 6 inches of new snow on top of Friday's freezing rain crust and few inches of new on top of January crust.  Started skinning again just past creek crossing.  Talked to a splitboarder there loading up on his snow-machine to head out, he had turned around crownline reported by John Morrow earlier this week.  Skinned up through clearcut and forest, gaining ridge at 5700.  Considered going higher -- but we were close to the fog line and observed wind sweeping across Jove's treeless south slope.  Skied down from 5700 just on the lee side of a band of trees -- enjoyable snow -- later cut skiers right to merge into lower portion of Jove south slope.  After rejoining road, retraced route to Rainy pass and skied Smithbrook road to 4360, then shortcut switchback for a few fun turns.  A few folks in our group choose to ski smithbrook road instead of shortcutting -- reported a lot of work hiking up and down avalanche debris piles covering road going that way.  Unfortunately my camera was complaining "can't read SD card" so no pictures from me.

GPS track: http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYXAtaGRychALEghTYXZlZE1hcBjJ2j0M