The snow stability at lower elevations varies wildly based on aspect. On south facing slopes, the overall snowpack is very stable albeit shallow, with about a foot of new snow on stop of ~10" stout frozen or dampened base. North facing slopes and shaded westerlies to some extent (we did not travel over any East facing slopes) are a different story, and Im avoiding anything with enough snow to ride as low as 6500 ft on 30 degree or steeper slopes with poor snowpack structure.

Stability tests at lower elevations vary from columns failing upon isolation to as 'stable' as ECTP12. Maybe, the bushes provide some added strength in spots. The snow is very weak in places that hold old cold snow and the variability of the overall poor snowpack structure in even the bushy shallow lower elevation terrain requires careful analysis and decision making.