With spikes in avalanche hazard and cold temperatures we chose the south buttress of Mount Field above the Monarch campground as a safe venue for some classic drytooling.

On the rock itself we found less snow cover than in the four years I have been visiting the area, often to bare ground. On the descent through forest we found knee deep on their edge windslab pockets and didn't investigate snow depth further.

Winds were moderate throughout the day from the east, with temperature at -17 at 7 am and -13 at 5 pm

We did not see any natural avalanche activity or snow in the air.