Firm and Windy on Donner Summit

It was sunny and windy on Donner Summit today.  Shiny, firm and icy surfaces were easy to see on the drive up Old 40 looking at the north side of Donner Peak.  Recent winds have left snow surface conditions a patch work of crusts, supportable and breakable, with some areas of very firm snow.  Some minor amounts of soft snow exists interspersed throughout these areas.  Gale force E winds with cold morning temperatures kept the snow surface firm on all aspects for most of the day.  South aspects did not soften at any elevation up into the early afternoon hours.  The recent winds have knocked down large trees with branches, pine needles, and pine cones scattered across the snow surface.  Until we get some additional warming with decreasing winds, finding good snow quality will continue to be difficult.