Small Lingering Wind Slabs on Tamarack Peak

4-6'' of soft unconsolidated snow in protected areas below treeline in the Tamarack Peak area.  All areas above treeline that have been exposed to the moderate to strong NE winds over the past days have been scoured back down to the previous rain crust, most N-NE-E aspects.  These areas are very firm and present challenging travel conditions.  There are some very small lingering wind slabs limited to the highest ridgelines on SE-S-SW aspects.  These were very small and did not present a danger to backcountry users in this area.  The moderate NE winds today were moving very little snow as the snow available for transport is mostly blown away.  There was some loose dry sluffing in steeper terrain below treeline.  The near surface facets did not seem as advanced as some other shallower snowpack areas in the Carson Range and do not present a problem until we recieve more snow load.   

Photo#1:  Small cracking and shooting cracks on the East Ridge of Tamarack Peak.  SE aspect, 9600'.

Photo#2:  Tamarack Peak, 9900', NE aspect.  Looking into Hourglass Bowl with recent wind scouring from NE winds.

Photo#3and #4:  Very small windslabs failing with a ski cut on the ridge of Tamarack Peak.  9900' to 9700', S-SE aspects.  These were very small and limited to the highest ridgelines and did not travel more than 20' downslope.