Firebreak/Mt Rose snowpit

Spotted a few recent cornice falls on N and NE aspects with no other avalanches triggered and was curious to investigate a potential persistent problem and buried surface hoar in the area. Dug a pit at 9300' on a N aspect at treeline and found a surprisingly consolidated upper snowpack at this location. ECT results showed isloated breakage at 35cm and 50cm with no propagation. I expected the buried ice layer 35cm down to cause a more obvious instability in the column test. During our short tour, we observed 4"-6" of new snow accumulation with our skin track being nearly buried by the time we descended. Snow surface on SE aspect was soft with a notable ice crust below a couple inches of fresh snow.

#1) snowpilot profile

#2) hardness test

#3) ECT results showing isolated breaking on precipitation particles at 35 cm and 50 cm, no propagation

#4) small cornice formation on E aspect, top kicked off easily but did not propagate

#5) new snow accumulation between 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm