On steeper slopes I could get the rime crust to slide easily on the decomposing snow grains it was sitting on.

After doing my CT and ECT tests I stepped above the pit to see how the snow would react. I walked above the pit and with one foot planted I gave the snow a stomp with one leg. The whole slope collapsed with a VERY load whoompf. After having a look at the pit I could see that the slab had moved about an inch downhill. Scary setup we have.

Well developed surface hoar at lower elevation valley bottoms.

And surface faceting at higher elevations with the cold clear nights we are having.

Traveled from 6600-9200 ft., north through west facing slopes, slope angles to 32°.

What can i say that hasn't been said? The very poor snow structure is pretty scary, so it's all about slope angle.

With more cold clear nights and no snow forecast for the near future the NEXT weak layer is developing.

Thin snowpack at lower elevations on Hoyt's Peak. Below was my west facing exit slope.