We found that the slabs were releasing in the newest snow only, not involving the deeper weakness. Yet our tests showed the deeper weakness is still present. The mild weather and light snow of the last two days must have given it just enough time to relax a little and kept the loading just below the critical level.

We still don't trust it. The test values are too weak. But in many places the new snow layer over the crust is only 10-15cm, not the 30-50 cm we have found in areas that load more heavily, so it is much less sensitive there.

We would caution backcountry travelers to not assume slopes are stable just because no one has yet triggered a deeper slab. Ride every slope as though you believe it will release, and be especially alert for changes like rapid warming, heavy rain, or heavy new snow that might tip the balance.

Large slides reaching developed areas near Juneau are unlikely now without very heavy new snowfall.

In three of the four blocks, both the 56cm and deeper 16cm layers fractured and slid simultaneously on the same jump. Yet the deeper layer was not involved in the slide. It is likely that the top layer was more sensitive when under stress, that it was so light that it did not trigger the deeper weakness when it slid, and that much of its stress was already relieved in the flank area by the time we tested it. The crown face was more windloaded and still sensitive as we skied over it, but we were reluctant to cut test blocks on the 55°+ roll above rocks there.

The deeper weak layer might still release if someone hits the right trigger spot or if weather changes create more stress. Our tests indicate a still-weak bond to the melt-freeze crust from the last thaw and a slab that propagates fracture well. The loading is still not quite critical in most areas.