Dug a pit at 5977ft on SW 229 aspect of East Peak ( Platinum Peak ), burn zone on 31 degree slope.
No avy activity noted on ascent. Whumphing or shooting cracks were not observed. Conditions boot to knee deep powder. I kept my travel to uniform treed slopes as much as practical.
1st CT12 @71cm SP
2nd CT 14/17 @ 32cm SP / 71 cm SP
Snowy and windy but 32cm layer appeared to be a very thin layer of surface hoar. Layer at 71cm 1-1/2mm facets ( 1/13 crust)
Sudden planar failures through columns with downslope displacement.
ECTP 12/18 @ 32cm and 70cm , respectively.
On 12 there was a SP at 32cm with slight downslope displacement. Continued tapping and on 18
the entire block down to 71cm displaced off of upper pit wall.
With light hand pressure the snow above 32cm was easily removed on a planar bed surface. Some small surface hoar was noted at this level.
The block above 71cm required only light to moderate hand pressure to remove off of planar bed surface. Grains were 1-1/2mm facets.
1/13 crust at 71cm in this pit location.
Similar results were found on SW Bullion Peak the previous day 2 Feb at 6100ft.
Stepdown avalanches were on my mind and could be an issue going forward.