Variable Wind Loading at Rubicon

While skiing in the Rubicon Peak area today we observed shifting wind directions and evidence of wind transport and loading on a variety of aspects.

Hiking up the skin track we observed surface hoar in open below treeline terrain between 7000-8000', particularly around the snowtel station at 7600'. Most observed areas on North, Northeast, and East aspects below treeline had 6-10" of F to 4F hard near surface faceted snow on the surface. As we neared the summit the effect of the Northeast winds became obvious, with wind textures suggesting changing wind directions- some features were consistent with the current E-NE winds and others were consistent with the prevailing SW wind (Photo 1). Throughout the day we observed ridgetop and near treeline winds shifting from NE to E to S. At the crest we observed blowing snow loading a WSW aspect, and some cracking around small wind loaded features on SW aspects (Photos 2 and 3).

Avoiding the forecasted wind slab avalanche problem of the day was accomplished by primarily skiing near and below treeline terrain on windward aspects. Coverage in this area is good above 7600',  although areas with boulders and downed trees require more cautious navigation.