I took this last week and I don’t know where. I remember I liked the sun on the snow, and the little keyhole 10 miles ahead that allowed possible clearance over a ridge.
On this occasion I was not landing anywhere ahead but this is a common scene on the glaciers. I’ve mentioned in the past that it’s difficult to land on snow if there are no shadows. Often as we approach an area for landing it will look blotchy like this and we will simply wait for the sun to move to a desirable location and then land. I’ve circled overhead for some time waiting for the light to change or to move into the most useful position. When I was first learning to fly I remember being in a hurry to get on the ground, but the longer I fly the slower I am to commit. My worst mistakes have been made in haste, and as long as I have the gas to linger I take all the time I need to assure that conditions are truly in my favor before I commit.