Surface hoar hunting at Elephants Hump

I went to a place that often has surface hoar formation, to see if I could find any intact below this week's storm snow. From the trailhead, multiple mitt pits and hand shears failed to find it. In the small drainage at the pin drop, where I'd expect to find surface hoar, I dug three quick pits, all at +/-8300ft. Aspects were N, NE, and E. At all three locations, instead of surface hoar I found a very light rain crust. If it rained at this elevation and location at the beginning of this week's storm, it may have destroyed surface hoar before it was subsequently buried.

My primary concern today was wind blown snow. Winds were moderate to strong from the NW, and moving plenty of snow. I observed short shooting cracks within the wind blown snow. My secondary concern is forward looking - there was a weak crust a few inches from the surface, with cold, low density snow just above and below it. Today it was showing early signs of faceting, and with cold temps today and forecast for the weekend, this could become a future weak layer. It was weakest right at the margins of due north, and stronger as aspects got farther west and east of north. Steep due north slopes didn't have the crust where I looked for it.