Blowing snow at Grouse Rock

Blowing snow observed above and below treeline from strong NE winds in this area today, especially during the morning hours. New wind slabs were observed at and above treeline on W-NW aspects. Stepping on and ski kicking actively wind loading test slopes produced not cracking, but two snowpack collapses were felt. Wind slabs from yesterday were noted to linger at treeline on NE aspects, with some skier triggered cracking up to 1 foot deep occurring in isolated areas. The crown from one wind slab avalanche (D1.5-D2) was noted from afar on an NE aspect at about 8,000 in near treeline terrain (see seperate obsevation).

A test pit was dug in an open area below treeline on a NE aspect at ~8,200' (39.128655, -120.251676) to examine the old near surface facets below this past week's storm snow. Test results were ECTX and PST 48/100 end along the top of the facet layer. HS at the pit location was 228 cm and the top of the facet layer was at 166 cm. Facet layer was F hard and 10 cm thick.