Weak basal snow Peak 6996'

Traveled to the eastern end of our advisory area to collect baseline snow structure data. 

• Snow depth at the trailhead (4500') was 4-6" with ~ 40" at 6800'.
• Instabilities limited to one collapse (whoomphing) when I stepped off my skis at an upper elevation snow pit.
• At upper elevations, the lower foot of the snowpack consisted of weak faceted snow. Pushing a ski pole into the pack easily identified this weak layer.
• Failure and propagation, with moderate force, occurred in the facet layer during stability tests.