Looking at the minimal snow pack - generally less than 18 inches deep - on a north facing slope at about 10,200'. The surface is covered with a 2 to 4 inch layer of loose, weak near surface facets. This is the weakest layer, and will be the first layer to fail when it gets a layer of snow, or slab, on top. Then beneath the dirt layer, the depth hoar crystals have remained weak, with the weakest layer right beneath the dirt layer (red arrow).

These are the facets directly beneath the dirt layer (dirt block flipped over). 2 to 3 mm, well developed with sharp edges. Snappy shovel shears on this layer. It is still a player.

Taking a look at the coverage on northerly facing slopes. The snow is definitely deep enough to cover ground features and anchors on the smoother slopes, and once loaded, slides will be able to propagate across slopes. Most southeast through west facing slopes are bare, or patchy melt freeze snow at the most.