Wind Slabs at Tamarack Peak

We traveled to the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak to see if wind slabs had formed, and to observe the new snow coveage across the area. 

At the trailhead there was over two feet of new snow with light snow falling and modearte winds blowing out of the southwest. We observed many shooting cracks and at least 10 whumpfs while travelling through the below treeline terrain that held snow from the last storm. Photo 1 shows a quick pit at a whumpf location where we observed fist hard facets below the new snow, and shows hand harndness in the new snow: four finger with fist on top.

At the ridgetop the wind was obviouly transporting snow and loading the leeward side (East and Northeast at this location). Photo 2 shows the windward South aspect scoured of snow and the leeward side is loaded. Wind slabs observed in this location were four finger hard with shooting cracks 6-10 feet long. At the ridgetop we intentionally triggered the wind slab avalanche in Photo 3 by just gently approaching it.

Our ski descent was down low angled terrain to avoid the obvious wind slab problem, and to help avoid pushing through the new snow down to the ground. We hit some rocks and branches despite our efforts but the skiing was the best in months!