Observations from Blue Lakes

Pic 1: Large stellar plates on the surface would have been easy to mistake for surface hoar today. I coudn't find any vertical growth patterns in surface snow. However, several convective clouds indicated high humidity,  so conditions tonight could promote surface hoar growth.

Pic 2: Less settlement than "normal" but still found evidence of it today. It did get warm in the sun, and tree branches were dripping, though not full tree bombs.

Pic 3: Obvious "tiger striping" from recent wind. Adjacent to this but difficult to photograph was a very recent natural D1 avalanche on a wind loaded slope. Crown and debris were angular and didn't appear aged yet at all. This kept us away from the alpine today.

Pic 4: Although no current wind transport was observed while riding, and winds were Calm to Light, later in the day I noticed this from the Carson Valley.

We hit numerous test slopes, including steep and unsupported, with no signs of instability observed today.