Observation: Bartholomew Canyon

Snowpack structure was poor and mainly faceted from top to bottom. Total height of snow (HS) was 16" (41cm). There was a slight breaking down crust 4"-6" from the ground and the weakest snow was under this crust. With skis and skins on we were sinking straight to the ground and being held up by wildflowers and willows (full sandboxing). Snow was limited to north facing aspects. The structure is not going to be able to support much in the way of new snow or wind loading. The benefit of the warm temperatures is that it is also melting so this problem may be spotty and isolated to higher elevation north facing terrain in this area. Anywhere with old snow will be suspect once it starts to snow and a slab builds over this weak snow.

Photos of snow coverage

Not much snow to speak of  16" (41cm) on sheltered north facing slopes. No snow on south, east, and west facing until you got to higher elevations.  In the morning the snow surface was frozen with surface hoar and in the afternoon it was damp and muddy.