Wind and Scoured Snow on Incline Lake Peak

We toured in the Incline Lake Peak area to look at near surface facets and crusts before additional snow storms move into our region this week.  This area has received limited amounts of new snow over the last week compared to the Sierra Crest.  Light blowing snow was occurring today with plenty of evidence of previous strong to gale force winds throughout this area.  Most areas near and above treeline were scoured down to firm crusts or hard slab, raised tracks were seen in most exposed areas.  Even terrain below treeline had seen some wind scouring with variable ski conditions.  Limited amounts of additional snow are available for SW wind transport in this area with most windward locations scoured down to firm crusts.    

The Jan 4 rain crust was found buried in wind protected terrain below 9200' with faceted snow above and below the crust.  While faceted snow is present, it does not appear to be as advanced as seen in other locations in the forecast area.