During our ast1 course we did a few compression tests and got two sudden collapses at 15cm (13 taps) and 55cm(23 taps)
At 55cm depth there is a crust layer from Dec 6th
Also another crust layer at 30cm from early Jan
We did an extended column test and there was no signs of fracture initiation or propagation
Conditions were overcast, snow, and wind coming from east in the morning and changing to west throughout the day
Around 25cm< fresh snow from last night/early morning
We stuck to simple terrain and avoided steep slopes and alpine