We went hunting for a snowpack with facets near the ground that could still produce an avalanche. We hoped they would tell us that by breaking in extended column tests (ECT). In our first pit graphed above, they didn't. So, we went to a boulder field at 9400 feet facing northwest. Rocks and boulders are like Miracle-Gro for facets.

Sure enough we found a shallow snowpack with very weak facets. I thought for sure this was the type of place where we could trigger an avalanche. I still believe that it is, but I was shocked that the fist hardness facets in this place wouldn't fracture in my ECT after 30 taps.

The snow surface is getting whiplash from the bitter cold, clear nights and warm sunny days. This back and forth of temperatures is causing the snow surface to facet. It's keeping the powder dry and loose for now. When we get more snow, it could become the next weak layer on which most avalanches happen.

It was just too beautiful not to snap a few photos of the scenery.