Grouse Rock Observations

Around 1' of settled snow in this area from last weekends storm cycle.  Significant wind scouring has occured at the upper elevations on NE-N aspects due to the recent N winds scouring the snow surface down to minimal snow or to the old snow surface crust.  These winds have wind loaded the other side of the ridge on SE-SW aspects.  No signs of instabilities in these areas were observed today while kicking cornices and ski cutting small terrain features.  Little to no wind transport seen today with a combination of lighter winds and diminishing available snow.  On protected N aspects there is unconsolidated snow providing good travel.  Snow coverage gets to be a concern if you venture off of north aspects below 7500'.  No signs of any wet loose activity seen today on large east terrain features up to 2pm.  

Photo#1:  8400' near Grouse Rocks.  Winds blowing right to left loading the south aspect.  Small wind pillows and cornice features have formed over the last days of N winds. 

Photo#2:  N-NE aspects in exposed locations at upper elevations have been wind scoured down to a couple inches of snow or down to the firm old snow surface crust.  The wind scouring has occured in the top 100-400 vertical feet off the ridge depending on wind exposure.

Photo #3 and #4:  Mainly N and NE terrain showing the extent of wind scouring done by the recent N winds.