Improving Stability, Deteriorating Snowpack Structure

We traveled up Beehive Basin and over the ridge at the prayer flags. The first noticeable thing was the deterioration of the surface snow. It was the hissing, recycled powder sound of faceting in the upper snowpack. Quick hand pits revealed 4F facets through much of the SW-facing terrain as we ascended the ridge. We dug to the north of the prayer flags. The 68 cm snowpack remained very supportable on skis, less so on foot. The basal facets and the near-surface facets are increasing. ECTP30 at 12 cm from the ground. 

The snow surface remains Fist hard in untracked areas. There is some snow available for transport but without a significant wind event, things will probably stay put. 

Stability is generally good and will continue to improve without additional loading. However the same cannot be said for the snowpack structure which, I fear, will continue to weaken. Not a good situation when snowfall returns.