How (And Why) To Dig A Test Pit (Snow Pit)

Quick video on how and why I dig a snowpit and my two favorite stability tests for once my test pit is dug. A test pit ID's snow layers, grain types, and performs stability tests. Whereas a study pit collects all of that information plus temperature.
WHY: I only dig a pit when I am in a new to me snowpack or there are weak layers of concern buried in the snowpack, like buried surface hoar, facets, or a rain crust I want more information about. I am specifically targeting those weak layers to gather data about its reactivity, sensitivity, and likelihood of propogation.
My Compression Test (CT) helps me ID layers & fracture characteristics and my Extended Column Test (ECT) helps me determine that layer's likelihood of propogation.

[@gendoll5006]

I don’t ski or anything but I think this is so interesting! Just sitting on my back porch waiting for my kids to get up, spending my free time watching this 😆

[@michaelsitter9841]

It's really helpful to have a second probe for when you are cutting for your ECT, use one at each of the back corners of your column!

[@emilvierinen4068]

Been trying to find a good video about the topic, finally found it! Thanks man

[@aleshat6127]

Thanks for posting! I needed info on the importance of a snow saw and google got me nowhere!

[@Kyberdart]

Thanks, great video for me to study up on before heading to a course soon. Love that Primo saw!

[@willsperry8829]

The Primo saw rocks!

[@_BALLIN_]

Thanks for the video man. Cheers from Valdez, AK

[@0nehundred]

Excellent video! Thanks for posting it

[@willsperry8829]

Glad you liked it!

[@gendoll5006]

So do people do this to test the snow when they’re going skiing/snowboarding in areas that aren’t very common/active? Does anyone else need to do this? Like campers/hikers? This is so neat!

[@clari1]

Cool thanks!

[@Hotdogboss25]

Hey man, not sure if you are checking comments a year after this is posted, but what would be your summary after this snow test? Would you have given yourself the green light and kept on skiing?

[@agentorange812]

Not the OP, but snowpits don't give 'green lights'. They can only test for red lights when conditions are questionable (i.e. scientific method mindset). If conditions were bad, he would likely dig a few pits on his way up to get more data points. None of them are going to prove the slope 'safe', but each one increases his information and odds. Having said that, there were no red lights given by the pit. If there had been signs of weakness under compression and/or propagation, he might have then done a Saw Test to get more information, or dug another pit on a similar aspect and elevation to what he was trying to ride.

[@vitaminb4869]

So can we really trust these tests when 2 tests done just few feet apart produced significantly different results?

[@TheyForcedMyHandLE]

They were two different tests.

[@TheHowtoDad]

Cool... But did you just post a backcountry safety video, while being in the back country alone?

[@willsperry8829]

I did! I know its frowned upon by most people. But I don't go into avalanche terrain by myself. It is more of a walk in the woods with my Splitboard on my feet.