Intense Snow Transport on Tamarack Peak

Cold and cloudy conditions to start off the morning with occasional very light snow flurries.  Strong NW/N winds were causing intense snow transport along ridges and the peak with poor visibility from the low cloud cover and blowing snow.  Newly formed wind slabs and cornices were growing throughout the morning on E-SE-S-SW aspects.  On small test slopes in these areas cracking occurred where the wind slabs were the most developed but propagation was limited.  As the day progressed, the winds effected the snow surface not only in the exposed above treeline areas but also in open below treeline areas.  A thin wind skin developed in some areas with wind effect and scouring occurring in others.   Due to the low visibility and amount of snow transport, we stuck to treed terrain to avoid the wind slab avalanche problem and where we could see with good snow quality.  Visibility improved mid day and into the afternoon with partially cloudy skies.