Quick report
We performed a few handpits around 5500 ft on a NE aspect clear of trees. These consistently yielded a break about 16 cm down with moderate force. The break was generally fairly clean but not quite a true planar result. The slab on top was very soft, but still more cohesive than the layer beneath. Pulled out a loupe and confirmed that the issue was a layer of small facets. We also performed something resembling an ECT, although it definitely wasn't quite to spec. We did get a failure on this same layer at tap 17 with no propagation. Other tests we performed such as uptrack tests, and small slopes yielded no results. Due to the relatively shallow depth of the layer, and the general stubbornness to propagate or do anything at all in tests involving an actual skier, we ultimately did ski this aspect multiple times without issue. This layer may be interesting to watch as we add more load on top though. Noted that there was evidence of past wind effect at ridge line, especially winds from the SE leaving much more significant cornices across the bowl from us than the NW ridge we ascended. The false summit of Jim Hill also showed signficant wind effect from the SE. Weather deteriorated bit by bit throughout the day, with a bit of blue sky in the morning and then a steady advance of clouds. I'm sure precip would have started soon judging by our drive home (we were off the mountain by 2:15 PM). Winds were generally light, perhaps on the low end of moderate at ridge line for our final transition. Overall, stability seemed solid enough to ski. But we were left with questions about what the layer described above will do with more load.