Fog has had its cold grip on the valley for a week and a half. Although we were out of the fog, and in a clear belt, above us was another layer of clouds hiding the sun. Snow was very scarce causing us to go clear to the top of the Santiam Pass, where it is a sheet of ice. Very treacherous going on the South Loop Trail to get to the Brandenburg Shelter where we have lunch with a Chemeketan group. We ski back via the east side of the South Loop Trail where we find some great snow.