Extended Column Test
 

This is a great test. As with everything in avalanche safety it's not a magic bullet that covers everything. It is a great tool in your arsenal. I also know that this test was primarily developed in Continental and Intermountain climates. I'd be interested to see how this works for you Maritime guys. So if you haven't tried it, give it a go and let me know how it works for you.

It's definitely replaced the Rutschblock test for me in most instances. Mostly because it's a much quicker test to set up, so I easily can do it in several representative spots in the time it takes me to do a Rutschblock.

This is the most decent video I have found on it. Last year in my class we had a great (scary) result doing the ECT. It propagated and shot out. gapoostQuality 1 shear with lots of energy. It popped the eyes of the class which was great. Love it when you can demonstrate this sort of stuff. Bonus points for this one actually being kind of fun to do.

Hopefully this is new to a few peeps. Give it a try, let me know what you think.

If anyone knows of a better video, please link it up.

My go to test is the ECT for sure. Here is a video a fellow splitter posted on the UAC site from earlier this year.

As always, a wealth of knowledge from killclimbz. This actually looks pretty fun. Sorry for the ignorance, but what other kinds of tests are there?

Bruce Tremper is the man.

Now all we need is some more snow for my quarterly practice session.

He is the man, but that isn't Bruce.

Just someone that rides here in Utah doesn't work for the UAC. Posted this in an observation.

There are tons of tests. The Regular Column test, Rutschblock test, hand shear, shovel shear (Not sure if that's the correct name, ski pole test, also as a last measure a ski cut.

good vids, great test. one thing that bothers me in the vids is how these guys keep referring to faceted layers/hoar frost/propagations/etc. as 'nice' 'great' 'sweet' whatever. they are none of that. they're nasty, shitty, scary, deadly, etc... other than that - good shit.

good video's and tips! we in the NW don't get to many funky layers.. but the HOAR can exist.

We'll teach ya a bunch of tests at the on snow for FOBP this February! ;)

Yeah, for sure. I am amazed at the stability in the PNW. When it goes though, it sure seems to like to go big. Still, I think there are times when you get a persistent weak layer, especially around storm cycles. It would be interesting to give this a try during times of instability in your region and see how it works for you.

Shred,

I hear ya. It's a conundrum for sure.

Check out some books on it.

Bruce Tremper wrote the bible.