December 31, 2018, Crystal backcountry
12/31/18
WA Cascades West Slopes South (Mt Rainier)
1650
1
This beautiful day attracted a large crowd, parking was pretty full. We found 6" powder on a scratchy base on south aspects, 12" on a softer base on east aspects, and 6-10" on a soft base on west aspects. In some spots we found a thin crust about six inches below the surface that worried us about slide potential. After the trip we chatted with three friends who'd set off slides, none were hurt in them. NWAC and Facebook TAY will have specifics. Be careful out there.