The PCT switches back to the next viewpoint around 2700'
Kyle had is awesome Hok Atlai skis, I had snowshoes. Snow began just after Teakettle Spring and was 3-4' deep across the Plateau.
Camp Smokey was clear of snow, maybe it's windy there. It's also decorated with 7 glass Budweiser bottles and dirty socks.
From Camp Smokey we side-hill/slogged along the PCT around the small rises along the ridge. PCT is easy to follow, open areas were slushy nightmares and covered areas had hidden ice patches. We mostly booted/post-holed until we arrived at the open slopes of Chinidere. We went straight up the open slopes of Chinidere. Kyle remarked that we were experiencing Type III Fun, although it was probably closer to Type II.
Chinidere summit was windy and beautiful. We reveled that its difficult to get there when it's not summer.
We snowshoe/skied/plunge stepped down the broad NE side and continued more or less on that line down to Mud Lake which is currently half-melted.
Noble Camp was under 2-3' of snow. We paused for a beer and foot drying session at Cedar Swamp which is snow free. We camped about a mile past Cedar Swamp.
Hiked ~6 miles early this AM and made quick work of corned beef hash, eggs and biscuits at Char Burger
