Bandera Mountain — Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024

Snow level starts at 4000 feet just below the Mason Lake trail split. Boulder field is tricky with mixed slush and snow, but it was totally doable to gain the ridge with some kickstepping. Postholing on the ridge can be calf to knee deep in open sun, harder crust in the trees. Tried to make the track into more of a trench but there’s only maybe 2-3 sets of bootprints up there including mine so far. It stops at the final boulderfield below Little Bandera; hard to see boulders under the snow and didn’t want to injure myself stepping into gaps I couldn’t see. Super soft and slippery descent in the afternoon sun. PS Long shot but I lost an emotional support glove, it’s a light gray herringbone, if you picked it up and see this report please let me know!