Wind Effect & Transport on Silver Peak

We toured early up the NE ridge of Silver Peak to around 7,900 feet.  Similar to recent observations, the ridge proper was very wind scoured with signs of wind loading on the N and NE aspects from the overnight shift to SW winds.   More exposed N facing starting zones had 2-3 inch wind slabs that appeared to only extend nominally far down slope   Kicking on some small test slopes did not cause any relases or shooting cracks, although admittedly we kept a relative distance from actual wind loaded terrain.  

Further up the ridge where the trees extend up to the ridge line (around 8,000 ft), there was no evidence of wind slabs on N facing terrain and soft, unconsolidated snow that skied well and with no signs of instability. 

Throughout the tour, we did not encounter any evidence of remaining surface hoar, as most appeared to had been blown away yesterday.

Pics:  Evidence of wind loading and 2-3 inch wind slabs in near tree line terrain around 7,800 ft on NE ridge.
 

Video:  Around 10:30 there was a noticeable uptick in SW winds and we started to see active transport of snow into N-NE leeward slopes.  This continued and we departed shortly thereafter.  
 

The weather started warm but cooled as the new system moved in.  Very light, sporadic snow flurries in mid-morning.