Observation: Mineral Fork

I went up Mineral Fork to check out the faceting process. I noted 6-7mm surface hoar @ 8.5k' (photo 1). 30-40cm wind slabs had formed overnight on isolated terrain features (N facing), filling in parts of the previous day's skintrack (photo 2, 3). They weren't particularly reactive, but given the complex nature of the terrain I turned around. HS of 80cm from 9000-9500'. A pit at 9k' revealed a crust around the middle of the snowpack with facets developing both above and below it. They were pretty small (about 1mm) but had defined edges (see snow profile). I rated the danger as low because the wind slab problem at the mid elevation band seemed to be unlikely, small, and restricted to isolated terrain features. I imagine it was more prevalent at higher elevations.