Low density storm snow at Blue Lakes

Over two feet of low density recent snow observed on wind sheltered terrain around Blue Lakes. Mitt pits, track checks, test slopes, CTs and ECTs did not indicate slab instability. NE winds were transporting some snow, but not enough to show evidence of a wind instability. As the day warmed up we saw evidence of a developing warming instability on sunny slopes.

Pic 1: A very thin breakable crust was observed in the middle of the recent snow. No evidence yet of faceting above or below the crust. My shovel is on the old snow surface, and HS in this area was ~240cm.

Pics 2 and 3: Looking out over Raymond and Reynolds Peaks, which are usually very affected by N/NE winds due to their positions relative to the Carson Valley. No wind transport was observed from a distance, but trees were getting small wind deposits on their lee sides (red arrow in pic 3). NE aspects were not scoured and still held good snow for riding.

Pic 4: A tiny loose wet instability near a rock. Around this same time, I noticed moist snow pushing/building several feet ahead of my snowmobile while descending sunny slopes.