Xtra hard force for that propagation

• Toured up the Shed 10.7/ 11 ridge to the Shed 11 weather station at approximately 6300’.
• Then continued to the starting zone elevation of Path 1163 at approximately 7200’.
• Descended Shed 10.7 path.

Objectives were to:

• Perform a welfare check on the Shed 11 Weather Station and attempt to get wind sensor working again.
• Continue to upper starting zone elevation of Path 1163, check on conditions and look for any recent avalanche activity.
• Also conduct a full profile adjacent to Path 1163 on a slope with similar aspect, elevation, and slope angle as the avalanche path starting zone.

• No recent avalanche activity was observed.
• No wind-loading occurring throughout the day.
• Eight inches (8”) and up to two feet (24”) of accumulated snowfall now resting on 2/1/2020 crust.
• The 2/1 crust extended up to our high point at 7200 feet where it had thinned to less than 1 inch (2 cm) thick.
• Wind slabs from yesterday and earlier up to 1F- hardness established in wind affected areas… mostly observed on easterly through southerly aspects. Minimal cracking with ski cuts on these slabs.
• No collapsing or audible failures observed.
• Full profile conducted on ridge just west of Path 1163 (pit profile below)
• Profile location was on a southeast aspect, 7100 feet elevation, 38-degree slope.
• Total snowpack depth at profile location was 72” (180 cm). 
• Stability tests were limited to one (1) Extended Column Test. Non-propagating results in the upper 20 inches within the standard 30 taps. But propagation (ECTP35 @25 cm) with extra hard force on a layer of facets above a crust near the bottom of the snowpack. After propagation the column slid into the pit.
• Cloudy to partly cloudy skies for the entire field day with excellent visibility at all elevations.
• Minimal precipitation throughout the day with calm to light wind conditions at all elevations.
• Air temperatures were in the teens and twenties (0F) at all elevations throughout the day.