The snow at the base of the snowpack remains very weak. There are a number of layers stacked on top of this weak base and we're adding more. Today's wind may be the final straw. Below is a video of a snowpit test result. The column failed as I was finishing cutting it. This demonstrates how unstable things are. The weak basal snow will not support an isolated column of snow. I've had numerous test results like this. Really, all you need to do is step off your skis or machine and see if you punch through to the ground. If so, you've found an unstable structure. I've found that this is the case in the majority of the terrain that I've traveled through along the Skyline recently.