Wind effects below Round Top

While touring in the area below Round Top we observed significant wind effect well below the ridgeline along with at least one (more possible crowns were observed from too far to be certain) small natural wind slab avalanche that likely occurred in the last 24 hours. Skiing quality was strongly reduced by wind slabs and scouring. We avoided avalanche terrain.

Image 1: Wind slab avalanche on a steep slope below a cornice well below the ridgeline under Round Top (approx. 9400').

Image 2: Snow was observed blowing hundreds of feet down the slope, filling in the skin track. Cracking was observed when stepping off the skin track.

Image 3: Soft sastrugi observed well below the ridgeline (approx. 9500').