I saw a wide range of interesting things on Cutler Ridge (east of Ben Lomond) on 20 January 2012: Everything from powder to slush, localized areas of minor settling, rapidly forming cracks, wind-loading, some old slide activity, and the entire range of snow crystals from the ground to the surface. In two locations, I was unable to complete extended column tests; the blocks settled into the depth hoar before I could completely isolate them. But I did dig out some of the cracks visible on the surface, and found they went entirely through the new snow (about 24 inches thick). The attached photo gives a good representation. I made a very conservative tour. There were at least five other people in the area, not all of whom seemed to be "the most well trained and experienced backcountry travelers." As far as I could determine, no one got anything to move.