New snow near Red Lake

We set out with the goal of digging a full pit profile and performing a variety of stability tests in anticipation of poor skiing conditions. We certainly found poor skiing conditions. Some snow surfaces were suportable with only 1-2cm of ski penetration, while others had up to 20-30cm of ski penetration. The distribution of the supportable surfaces were highly variable. Boot pen was 85cm.

We chose to dig our first pit mid-slope on a NE aspect at 7,800ft. Total snow depth was 135cm. After digging our pit, we had begun identifying layers when we heard a large whumpf from the surrounding slope. We decided to abandon the pit and dig a new one at the top of the slope that was less exposed to hazard upslope of us.

Our second pit was at the top of the slope on a NE aspect at 7,856ft. Total snow depth was 124cm.  We performed two column tests; results: CT7 @ 62cm Q1 (SP) and CT21 @ 49cm Q1 (SP). We performed two extended column tests, both of which failed to propagate in the suspect layers. We also performed a PST on the suspected weak layers with no significant results. The new snow load (74cm here) is upside down. The two layers that failed in our column tests were made up of rounding facets both above and below a well defined crust. 

Picture 1: Our first pit, with the clearly defined crust. 

Picture 2: Our second pit.

Picture 3: A close up view of the layers of rounding facets sandwiching a consistent melt-freeze crust.