The pit was ~60 inches deep. The snowpack had 3 distinct layers: Top ~18 inches was fresh, light powder (from the storm that came through on 03/03 and 03/04). Due to low moisture content, it did not create much of a weight burden for the underlying layers. Middle: ~20 inches of relatively consistent and solid crust. Bottom: ~18 inches sugar snow to the ground, providing no foundation for the snowpack above. The assessment was that the middle layer was stable enough to support skier activity until it was not. While the probability of a fault was low, the impact of a fault and a resulting slide would be catastrophic.

From the Peter Estin Hut, we climbed east to the top of Prospect Peak (~11,800'). The pit was dug near the top of the hill facing west.