Wind Slab on the Left, Alder on the Right

Headed up Elk Mountain in Southern Glacier Park to see what conditions would be like in a wind-prone area of the forecast zone if the weather forecast verifies and winds shift to the north or northeast late tonight and into tomorrow morning.

• By noon we saw blowing snow across the canyon above 6,500 feet on Mt. Shields. As we ascended above that elevation winds quickly increases from light to moderate with strong gusts. Blowing snow was steady and we triggerd a few small and thin soft slabs on steep leeward test slopes with cornice drops. Shooting cracks were also common in drifts. 
• We found some lower angled leeward slopes and peaked over to look at the snowpack. Despite active wind loading, the surface snow on those slopes was soft and would still be available for transport if the winds shift during the night. The snowpack on those easterly slopes was generally strong, right-side up, and similar to what Cam found in Skyland yesterday - except now with wind slabs developing on top.
• The snowpack on westerly slopes was thin - 1 to 1.5 feet deep at most - from constant wind stripping. In many places it was stipped to the ground.