Observations

Eagle River:

We climbed a long, classic ice route on a W aspect of lower Cumulus (above the neighborhood behind the Eagle River Nature Center) to ~2500′.  It was basically snow free, and while it is an avalanche path it does not seem to have slid yet this season.  The ice was brittle, even where it looked wet on the upper WI4 crux pitch, but relatively fat and fun for this time of year.

The Eagle River valley has been COLD, as evidenced by the hoar frost (very large in places) covering practically everything.  The terrain in the lower valley has not likely seen the light of day, nor enough warmth, to burn any off.