wind blown tamarack

I toured up the regular route on Tamarack today from about 10a-11a.  Calm winds and scattered clouds with a hard skin track surrounded by soft wind blown snow at 8600’ trailhead. 

Winds increased quickly with blowing snow in open areas of the climb. 

Strong NE winds with head high transporting snow blowing across the summit at my arrival.

In some areas NE aspects (hourglass) were already scoured by 11a, while more E aspects (proletariat) still heald signs of loading from yesterday’s SW winds.  These windloaded and lightly corniced areas were rapidly being scoured by today’s building NE winds. 

Soft smooth wind blown snow up high and soft 2” of cold snow in the lower trees.