Fresh wind-slabs upper elevations McGee

Toured up the gentle NE ridge line on the north edge of McGee Mtn, and down the NE gully next to it.  Good bit of wind-effect especially above 8800', with visible wind transport from moderate SW winds over the ridgetop, keeping us away from the steeper leeward slopes near the ridgeline.  Most concerning point of tour was NE slope just below ridgeline when 20' shooting cracks extended from skis when traversing 10-15ft above other ski track. (see attached photot).  4" of 1Finger+ ontop of fist hard snow.  On a steeper convex slope a small avalanche would likely have been triggered.  Hand pit failed cleanly here upon isolation.  Many other hand pits throughout the day testing upper wind deposit at lower elevations failed with moderate force, some somewhat cleanly, but others very roughly.  No signs of instability other than those upper elevation recent shallow wind deposits.      

Did two ECT tests on obvious wind pillow on N facing 27°slope.  One failed with hard force, but did not propogate, but when pulled on lightly, fracture easily extended across column, Q2 shear.  The other did propogate with hard force, planar result but not sudden, and stubborn to slide off when pulled.  

Above 8800', patchy punchy denser wind deposits made skiing a bit challenging, with areas of sastrugi.  Below that down to the bottom at 6900', consistent half-boot top deep condensed powder and fun turns.