Observation: Mirror Lake Highway

Burley weather in the alpine today. Snow and strong winds made visibility very limited. Trail breaking was difficult and skiing was funky in the upside down snow. Ski and sled tracks were filling in quickly. Pit tests were on north and north east facing slopes around 10K. CT and ECT tests were failing easily on the old snow/new snow interface where the initial storm snow fell quietly on the old snow surface and is now capped with dense wind effected snow. I had two columns fail at the ground upon isolation . Tests reflected easy effort to shear and propagate. I am certain the area is going through a natural avalanche cycle and it will be interesting to check things out once we get some clear weather. It was still snowing and blowing at the end of the day when I left the parking lot. Considerable/high danger again tomorrow depending on terrain choices.

I didn't get many photos due to the weather but here is one from Bald Mountain pass.

Upside down storm snow. Hard to say how much new snow due to the fierce wind but 12"-24" is close, depending on elevation.  Substantially more snow above 9K . Wind was effecting snow at all elevations and well off the ridgelines. Even in the trees long whale backs extended well past trees and terrain features. The Mirror Lake Highway had large drifts in spots and there were long sections of whoop de dos across the road that were formed by the wind.