Hex Mountain — Monday, Mar. 22, 2021

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LOST/REWARD --- BMW key fob dropped on the road about 0.7 miles from the gate leading to the Hex Mountain trailhead.  We believe based on our map and photos that it fell out of a (previously zipped) pocket between 0.7 and 1 mile from the gate, though it could be anywhere from 0.7 miles to the top of Hex.   I left my name and number at the gate.  Please comment if you find the fob so we can get in touch. 

We had new snow, about 4 inches from the gate to the summit on top of packed/ partially melted snow.  Along the ridge on the way down, the wind was blowing 30-50knots with bright sun.  Wear sunscreen, bring a balaklava and excellent windbreaker.

We didn't need snowshoes, but could have been helpful on the ridge in places where the snow was dry and drifty. My companions had them on their packs, but didn't use.  We had to scramble up several drifts on the ridge, often up to our waists in snow.  Occasionally used microspikes, especially on the last few yards up to the summit, it was windscraped to packed snow/ice.  Snow had covered our ascending prints when we came down. 

I could have easily lost my key on the ridge, pitching forward into the short snowbanks.  There was no visible trail, we just gave the cornice a wide berth and tried to stay at the highest point of the ridge. 

Great views of Lake Cle Elum from the ridge ascending/descending.  The clouds really cleared when we summited- pretty spectacular 360 views at the top.  A lot of the 4+ inches of snow had melted away to dirt in several large patches when we got back to the road from the main trailhead. Spring's a-comin...