Windy Noisy Basin.

Quick trip up the road into Noisy Basin this morning.

• Moderate to strong east/ northeast winds even below 5500 feet.  These winds were visibly moving snow. 
• Drifted snow was forming small, sometimes-sensitive cornices and slabs 2-8"inches thick on leeward (westerly) slopes, with some short, superficail cracks. These are sitting on older, harder slabs. 
• Easterly slopes are scoured and wind-damaged. 
• Older, much large (car-sized) drifts fill 100+ feet of the road at 5350 feet elevation. These hard drifts are remnants of the powerful northeasterly winds the past week. 
• In sheltered areas, the surface snow is generally soft and dry with minor signs of drifting or sweeping
• As bet we could see in the flat light, no recent avalanche activity in westerly terrain below the Swan Crest. 
• Variable riding conditions in the upper part of the Checkerboard, with a firm snow surface. Conditions improved lower.