Observation: Gold Basin

We dug a pit on a north-facing slope at 10,500 feet. Extended Column Test results were ECTX x2. Eric and Nate had the same results yesterday on a similar aspect and elevation. The three of us are a bit surprised at the lack of feedback from the snowpack after 2.0 inches of snow water equivalent on 1/1 and 1/2. This is a relatively rapid load on our fragile November facets. The Christmas rain crust, which is 5cm thick on average, seems to be bridging the weight for now. Eric and I did not experience any cracking or collapsing in our tour today. I think the lack of feedback from the snowpack boils down to the nature of the slab. The slab is not super robust and is only 4F- density above the rain crust. I think it will take a thicker and slightly more dense slab to really tip the scales. One thing to keep in mind - and there is a bit of uncertainty here - is that the crust may be thinner at the higher elevations where there was less rain and more snow. A thinner crust will not bridge as much weight and may fail under the weight of a human. The bottom line is that the structure is poor, and a slab exists over weak facets. I am personally going to collect more obs before I am willing to fully trust this structure.