Cushioning the blows

Quick look at surface conditions prior to incoming Arctic push.

• On sheltered, mid elevation slopes above about about 6000 feet, we found 4-8" of faceting snow above a very hard melt-freeze crust. This snow is loose and starting to facet. No signs of instability at the moment. 
• Below about 6000 feet on sheltered slopes, the melt-freeze crust is deeply runneled, with a few inches of loose new snow on top. That helps cushion the blows. The runnels are up to 10" deep. 
• On the east- and west-facing slopes where we traveled, the recent new snow is topped with a melt-freeze crust, except on low-angled slopes where the  past few day's sun hit less obliquely.
• Lots of evidence of last week's natural avalanche cycle below about 6000 feet.

The loose snow on sheltered slopes could be easily transported by northerly winds into small slabs. If buried intact, it might not hold a big load.