This is within the Alta Ski Area boundary which is not open for the season and must be treated as backcountry terrain.

This profile is in an area that is shaded except for an hour or so shortly after noon where the sun hits it at a very oblique angle.

A very thin heat crust is present on the surface which most likely formed Saturday with quite warm temps.  The crust consists of small facets and some surface hoar that was starting to melt but froze before they completely deteriorated.  You can still make out these grains that are now fused together forming this crust.  Pretty cool!

Under the crust is a layer of small grained facets.  They are not alarmingly weak but are present.  They become more pronounced as you gain elevation and get into steeper due north terrain.  These are only really present on the more north shady aspects above around 9500'.  The crust/facet combo could possibly pose problems with the right loading.  It should be treated as guilty until proven innocent.