Wind affected snow in southern GNP

Traveled to the eastern end of our advisory area looking for wind affected snow and the 2/2/19 crust.

• The recent strong east winds have affected the snow at all 3 elevation bands. On the lower slopes of Elk Mt, swirling winds were loading easterly slopes with winds at mid and upper elevations loading westerly slopes. Recent strong winds resulted in drifting much lower on slopes than is normal. We encountered wind scoured slopes, thin hard wind slabs (<1' thick), soft slabs and areas of deep deposits (>2'). Sheltered areas harbored up to 8" of low-density snow. 
• Instabilities within the wind affected snow included intentionally triggered small shallow soft slabs, cracking, shooting cracks and 6-8 collapses (whumpfs). Other instabilities noted were loose snow sluffs where the new low-density snow easily slid on top of the 2/2 crust.
• The 2/2/19 melt-freeze crust was present from the valley floor to 6500'. At 6000' the crust was 3" thick but tapered quickly to 1" at 6300'. Facets are developing below this crust resulting in propagation with easy force in stability tests.