Snake River Canyon

We toured up to 8,500' and found fairly spring-like low and middle elevation conditions. The average snow depth from 7,000' was around 1m (3'+). The weakest snow I could find on both N and S aspects at the new/old interface is around 30cm (~1'+) deep. All recent avalanche activity was noted at this interface. Snowpit tests resulted in non-propagating scores. The majority of the snowpack, other than on due N aspects, was moist, full-depth, and stubborn to failure even with cutting small cornices onto slopes. We experienced increasing instability upon departing as temperatures dropped and rain was starting to fall. I suspect this trend will continue if the amount of snowfall forecasted overnight is delivered.