Variable Conditions on Tamarack

The only consistency we found today was how inconsistent and variable the snow surfaces were. We found firm refrozen surfaces on sunny slopes. While today was warmer and less windy than yesterday, these areas still did not soften much. On the colder and shadier N-NE aspects, wind-scoured snow with raised tracks and sastrugi existed on some exposed N-NE-E aspects. Some other exposed N-NE aspects held firm, smooth, wind-packed snow. The winds had even affected some of the typically sheltered slopes in below treeline areas. We did find some softer snow on the most sheltered slopes, but these patches of soft snow were inconsistent and interrupted by previous tracks. The snow surface in these areas also was covered in debris that had blown off the trees. We did see weak snow developing on the surface in some sheltered areas. We did not see any signs of instability in our tour today.