My objective for the day was to evaluate east and north aspects below treeline to see if the danger could be dropped to low. On northerly aspects, the answer was a clear no. The likelihood for triggering an avalanche is decreasing however. On east aspects, the answer is less clear. The snowpack is moist all the way through but still layered. I performed an extended column test with a score of ECTP16. I did, however, have to cut through a stout, 4cm melt-freeze crust for failure to occur on a layer of moist facets beneath so I don't think the weight of a skier would affect it. More concerning, is the trend toward an isothermal snowpack but a return to cooler nighttime temperatures this week should keep that at bay.
Moist, layered snowpack on an east aspect at 10,800'.
ECTP16 on moist facets beneath a stout crust.
