Windy at Carson Pass

Toured between Carson Pass and Kirkwood area today. Ridges and upper alpine areas were mostly being blasted by a strong East wind. Evidence of wind slab was easy to find on alpine west facing slopes, but also present, though less reactive, on alpine east facing slopes. Ridges themselves were mostly firm and challenging to skin across. The best snow was found on lower angle (less than 30 degrees) terrain near tree line. Small wind slabs were triggered on west facing slopes, but our crew mostly avoided west facing slopes with soft snow over 30 degrees. 

Photo 1: Easy cracking in wind blown snow above skin track. This is on a west facing slope.

Photo 2: This ridge area was scoured of new snow down to old (presumed) 12/13 rain crust. 

Photo 3: Great day to observe wind altered snow. 

Photo 4: Wind effected snow. 

Photo 5: Sastrugi. Many zones we toured through were so blasted that little Sastrugi remained.

Photo 6: More easy cracking in wind drifted snow above the skin track. This is on an east facing slope.