Warming much slower than expected on Carson Pass.

Rapid warming did not materialize as forecast this morning on the N side of Carson Pass. On the E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on the SW flank of Red Lake Peak, a mix of very supportable snow surface conditions were encountered. On E and W aspects, shallow amounts of wind packed recent storm snow from yesterday had yet to enter a first melt cycle. S aspects had a 3 to 4 cm thick melt-freeze crust on them from yesterday/last night. As of 11 am, open slopes above treeline had not entered into melt phase. Isolated small pockets of wind protected terrain were just starting to enter melt phase at 11 am, but were far from developing instability.

Some small amounts of blowing snow were visible along ridgelines and summits above treeline, but limited snow remained available for wind transport. No signs of problematic wind slabs were observed in the above treeline areas traveled.