E winds at Meiss

Pic 1: Although snow was shallow from N Side of Carson Pass to Meiss Headwaters, I stopped for ECTs in windblown areas with up to 70cm of snow. Performed about 100m apart, both failed under the wind slab but neither propagated across the column. Both left clean and planar surfaces upon removal of wind slab, similar to pic 4.

Pic 2: Rime or mist event left a thin crust on all surfaces observed from parking to turn around point at pindrop on map. Large needles just under this crust may be worth monitoring for future faceting concerns.

Pic 3: At Meiss Headwaters, this is often a good "indicator slope," especially with wind or storm slab conditions. It regularly avalanches via natural triggers. The start zone is still mostly rock. Sastrugi already developing due to E winds.

Pic 4: Another 2x ECTNs adjacent to start zone in pic 3. Neither propagated, though both left clean and planar surfaces under the wind slab after rmoval of slab.

In general, a very shallow snowpack was observed in this area. The light crust on the surface was observed to be widespread, but fragile enough to not significantly destroy ski quality. Very little wind transport observed due to surface crust limiting available snow. Deeper facets were mostly observed in rocky areas, but faceted layers appeared to be discontinuous. No facets observed in several quick pits on grassy slopes.