Feb 3, 2007, Chair Peak and Snow Lake area

Hoped to do the circumnav of Chair Peak today but changed plans after finding challenging snow conditions.  Encountered some patches of very icy snow on the way from Source Lake up to Chair Peak basin.  I was glad I brought my ski crampons along.  Booted up to the notch and checked out the conditions on the north flank of Chair, but decided not to ski it due to the potential for a long fall on the slick surface.  After watching climbers on Chair for a while we skied down to the east and then north to Snow Lake.  Encountered lots of breakable crust and frozen snow chunks.  Toured around a little more but never found good snow.  Saw more climbers than skiers today.  Despite the conditions, it was good to be outside.