Core Lodge snow check - thumbs down!

Quick trip west of core lodge to check the snowpack and see if it's worth getting the touring skis out. Hs at core lodge 45 cm, rain crust on top. Crust to ~1500 m, softening higher up. Dug quick pit at ~1550 m. Hs 70 cm, top is 35 cm of dense damp storm snow. Crusts at 35 cm down and 40 cm down. 35 cm down to ground is loose facets. Widespread whumphing, and cracking of top 35 cm. Deep trail breaking, 40 cm snowshoe penetration down into facet layer. All in all, pretty crappy; will take a lot of healing to make it stable. +6C when we left, with drizzle.