We dug a pit on an ENE aspect at about 9700 ft. There's just over 30 inches of snow in this location with about 20 inches of denser snow sitting on a foot of early season, loose facets - strong over weak. Pit tests were mostly failing on faceted grains below a temperature crust within the basal facets about 55 cm's down (22""). Our Extended Column Test failed with medium effort on 2 mm solid faceted particles and with plenty of energy to pop the column out into the pit on a 30 degree slope. The slab resting on the weak basal snow is firm and supportable and certainly gives you the feeling of a solid snowpack. It's not until you dig into the snow that you're able to see the poor structure.

Tomorrow's danger rating will depend on how much wind and new snow we get. I went with moderate danger again tomorrow. Winds are forecasted to relatively light from the north tonight but, tomorrow, turn to more southwesterly, blowing at moderate speeds. With plenty of soft snow available for transport, northerly facing slopes may see some loading tomorrow until the winds shift and start blowing from the northwest. We most likely will see a considerable danger for Friday and into the weekend on slopes 30 degrees or steeper facing the north half of the compass.

First photo is our ECT result and second photo is rime on the trees.