Dust on ice.

Today we went to the Swan Range to observe recent avalanche activity and track surfaces before incoming precipitation.

• Widespread avalanche activity was observed on all aspects above 5000 feet. Crowns were impressively wide and mostly filled back in. We did not observe as many large piles of wet debris as we did in past days in the Flathead Range.
• Below 5500' there is 2 to 3 inches of snow sitting on a hard crust. Above 5500' and to our highpoint of 6500' we found roughly 6 inches of snow above the crust. The crust here was still very hard and supportable. 
• We observed 1 to 2 mm facets above the crust. 

We have a smooth sliding surface (rain crust) and a weak layer (faceted snow). The only thing we are missing is a slab on top.