November 22, 2015, Crystal southback

There was barely enough snow to start skinning up from the base of Crystal.  From the top of Quicksilver the usual cat track was lightly covered ground with several intermittent tiny streams breaking the snowpack up to about 5800'.  In Silver Basin the snowpack was less than a foot deep and many rocks were still poking through the surface.  Despite that, skiing was smooth and buttery in 2-4" wet fresh from earlier in the week over the foot or so of base on SE facing sunny slopes below 6400'.  We heard that conditions were quite a bit stiffer on north slopes and ridge crests above that point.  It was fun to reunite with friends in the basin and at the lodge.  We are thankful the skiing is better than last year!