A bit of wading thru above the knee snow but otherwise an okay crust; higher up approaching the ridge and on final ascent, encountered small isolated patches too icy to kick step with my trail runners. Winter wonderland started at 1750m though the snow is melting fast on lower slopes. Later in the winter snowshoes and spikes will be a consideration. Helicopters and SAR flagging are a sombre reminder that search parties are still looking for hiker Jordan Naterer who went missing in the area earlier this month.