Some observations from today in the Rockies.
Supportive crust on E aspects to at least 1900m.
Overcast and snowing lightly above 1900m. Only felt light wind although stronger wind was audible.
Dug in the snow at 1980m facing North. Here there was no supportive crust but the snow was very firm and supportive to skis.
HS 190, boot penetration of 45cm, ski pen of 4cm and preserved hoar frost about 2cm thick down about 55cm. This layer produced 'cash register’ style sudden planar releases. The layer immediately above (maybe 9cm) did not fail in tests but separated from the released block as one unit.
CTM (20) SP down 55, XL hoar flakes; ECTH (25) SP down 55, XL hoar flakes; PST 45 / 100 end down 55.