Encouraging test scores in Beehive Basin

My group and I went up into Beehive Basin to do some sub-alpine skiing into Middle Basin as well on some of the east aspects in Beehive. We went in feeling good about the snowpack given recent observations and the forecast, but before dropping into our first line on the Middle/Beehive ridgeline we dug a pit on an E aspect at around 9500'. There was good depth in the area (HS 190 cm) and the upper few feet of the snowpack was mostly right side up with faceted snow towards the bottom that appeared to be gaining strength. We pulled a shovel shear, which yielded unremarkable results and an ECT with a result of ECTX. We had a great day out there skiing and felt good about what we saw!