Windy up high on Carson Pass

I toured around Elephants Back this morning. While snow refreeze conditions were about what I anticipated on sun facing slopes, the wind above tree line was stronger and colder than I expected. The flat terrain near Winnemucca lake was frequently hit by strong westerly gusts and as I hiked a section of the ridge up Elephants Back the winds were occassionally strong enough to push me around. Upper slopes on Elephants Back remained firm and didn't display signs of previous melt freeze activity, but this rapidly changed as I dropped elevation. Once I dropped below about 9000 feet around 10:15am and entered more treed terrain softening was apparent on all aspects except for due north. 

Photo 1: Solid frozen surface conditions at 8am in an opening of trees at 8700 feet.

Photo 2: Roundtop looking good.

Photo 3: Cornice over Elephants Graveyard. No significant recent broken chunks observed.

Photo 4: Steep E and NE terrain on Elephants Back at 9400 feet holding firm winter snow.

Photo 5: Much softer conditions around 8600 feet and below tree line. 

Photo 6: Lower in the trees roller balls were occurring on S, E, and NE aspects.