Faceting Snow on Tamarack Peak

We made observations on Tamarack Peak in the Mt. Rose area today.  We have been monitoring our existing snowpack during this recent dry spell over the last couple weeks since our last snow storms.  Even with the mild daytime temperatures, the faceting process continues on northerly aspects where low sun angles provide shade and cold conditions.  Faceting is occurring throughout the entire shallow snowpack which is around 1 to 2 feet deep with concerns as additional storms become forecasted for our area.  This weak snow is not a current stability issue, but the snowpack structure could become a concern as we get future snow load.  As this faceting continues, the snow is becoming less supportive with ski and boot penetrations becoming deeper.  This makes it easier to sink down into the existing shallow snowpack and potentially come into contact with the slightly buried rocks, stumps, and obstacles just below the snow surface.