We made it to the Alpine!

Today our goal was check out the tree line alpine interface. We dug down to test the mid December facets ( sugary loose crystals). We found a thick weak layer that was starting to react in compression tests. At this time in the area where we dug we feel that the snow above isn't yet forming a slab that could Avalanche. However we still chose to ride a supported slope in the older trees and stay out of the wind affected alpine. This layer is causing great uncertainty in our decisions. We will be slowly stepping in to terrain and watching for denser snow above the weak Dec. facets.