Plasse Peak

Although we saw tall plumes of blowing snow while driving over Carson Pass, they seemed erratic and unlikely to deposit snow in regular patterns. While skiing around Plasse Peak, the winds were strong but we no longer saw evidence of blowing snow. Peaks in the distance also didn't appear to have blowing snow. Windward aspects that we could see had already been eroded from previous winds and sun. From Tragedy Springs to Plasse Peak, I checked the start zones of the numerous steep avalanche paths along the ridge. All of them had variations of a crust/facet combo at the surface. The firm rain crust was quite noticeable under the facets. With more snow in the forecast, the facets and rain crust could make for the weak layer and bed surface of avalanches - today the only missing ingredient was a slab.

Most areas traveled today had a crust/facet combo at the surface. The crust was more developed on warmer slopes, and the facets were more developed on colder slopes.