Feb 18-20, Aneroid Lake

Our original plan was to do a four day tour somewhere in the cascades but forecast for high winds and marginal snow conditions changed our plan at 4:00am Friday morning.  The rumor of several inches of fresh snow in the Wallowas and the total lack of wind in that area probably also had something to do with it.  At the Aneroid trail head the temps were in the teens and a local resort owner plowing his driveway with an ATV said 10" of fresh.  The snow had the kind of quality you usually see in the cascades for only about 30 minutes before rain, sun, or winds affects your seamingly wonderful snowpack.  
We skied in to Aneroid basin and set up camp half a mile from the Aneroid cabins which are guided by Wing Ridge.  As the sun went behind the ridge temperatures dropped.  My toe is still recovering from that first cold night.  Reports idicated temperatures from -26F to -14F.  Either way it was damn cold. Getting up the next day to melt snow, cook breakfast, and hit the trail was pure agony.  After 30 minutes of skinning things warmed up a bit.
The first day of touring we skied Aneroid peak with great weather and excellent views.  The sking was 2-3" on a crust on the peak and on certain lower aspects.  Apperently those 10" of snow didn't make it to the higher elevations.  Regardless,  north to east aspects had light soft delightful powder from almost two weeks ago.
The second day the night only got down to -13F and the sun showed its beautiful face all day long withoud creating any new crusts to speak of.  We skied a long tour up to several diffenernt passes sking fresh lines in good snow along the way.  The views, weather and overall atmosphere were remarkable.
The last day we were headed out so I took one last quick trip and had some of the best skiing yet.  40-45 degree slope, deep stable snow and 700 feet of fun.  It was short but oh so good.
Lesson learned once again.  If conditions aren't good in the cascades go east.