Lower Casaval Ridge to McBride

We toured past Horse Camp to the bottom of Casaval Ridge/Giddy Giddy Gulch yesterday. Northerly winds were whipping. Strong gusts were swaying whole trees, and blowing snow peppered us as we toured from Bunny Flat to 8,000 feet, where we transitioned. The wind's effects were easy to identify: sculpted sastrugi features, firm, chalky snow, and scoured rocky patches on exposed ridgelines and moraine tops. 

• Observation Location: Lower Casaval Ridge to McBride near and below treeline
• Elevation: 8,000 feet to 4,800
• Date: 20210205
• Time: 0900 to 1200
• Observer: Ryan and Paul
• Sky Conditions: Few (FEW) clouds over the Eddies
• Current Precipitation: NO 
• Air Temperature: upper 30's °F
• Total Snow Depth (HS): 74 in
• Wind Direction: NE - funneling downslope in Avalanche Gulch. 
• Wind Speed: Strong (S), whole trees in motion. Blowing snow with powerful gusts. 

Temperatures were warming up, and snow surfaces transitioned quickly as we descended. Heavy, mushy, wet snow remains at lower elevations. A melt-freeze crust will likely form tomorrow (20200206). No obvious signs of avalanche danger were encountered.