Lakes Basin - Extreme Winds and New Snow

I set out to assess wind and new snow totals today in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. 

• It was hard to discern how much snow had fallen with extreme winds and intense blowing snow. In the most protected terrain, below treeline, near 9500', new snow measured 10 - 25 cm. Wind loaded leeward slopes near treeline held as much as 40 cm of new snow. 
• New snow was mostly made up of graupel. 
• Thin storm slabs were reactive on test slopes in the most protected below treeline terrain. Slabs were small, up to 10 cm deep, and soft, F+ - 4F, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
• 4F wind slabs were stubborn in some places and reactive in others. Slabs below treeline were up to 30 cm deep, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
• 1F wind slabs were reactive on leeward test slopes near treeline. Slabs were up to 40 cm deep, breaking on a layer of graupel within the new snow. 
• Fresh cornices were easy to break whilst walking nearby. 

Cracking underfoot and propagating cracks in wind loaded terrain.