Sherwin ridge - signs of instability

I ventured into the Sherwins today to get an idea of how our recent storm systems have impacted the area. 

• Observed signs of instability - audible collapsing and long shooting cracks
• No avalanches were observed
• I dug in at 9,900' on a NE aspect
  •  HS175.  
  • 63 cm of condensing storm snow/ thin rain crust/ fist hard facets.
  • I saw propagation in my extended colom test with the first hit from the shoulder.
  • See profile for more details.
• Coverage remains thin and strewn with obstacles, particularly below 8,000-8,500'.
• Melt freeze crusts below 8000' are stoute and made for difficult travel.
• Above 8000', surface snow was affected by wind, albeit in a predictable and smooth.

I observed several large collapses and shooting cracks up to ~50'~ long or so. BTL- Collapses were localized in distribution and more frequent, NTL- larger and louder, but less frequent. I suspect this was due to a more shallow slab BTL