Extended Column Test - How to interpret?

Ski touring is inherently slower paced when compared to heli skiing.  When ski touring I usually have extra time at the transitions, extra time at rest breaks, and the ability to stop on the way up to give my guests an extra rest (rest breaks on the way up in the helicopter are less common  ), and with me being a bit of a snow geek I end up digging more pits. 

The reason I don't dig more pits when I'm heli skiing is because I'm working with a team of guides.  There are definitely more pits dug by the heli ski guides, especially when you factor in they're out there almost every day, but I personally don't get to dig them all.

If I could ask one more question. Do you think that it is proper etiquette to drop a load of heli- skiers above a group of touring ski mountaineers? I mean, isn't the first thing you guys do is perform ski cuts to midigate any unstable snow?

I think your question is a reasonable one but a bit off topic. I will send you a personal message.

I think the question of looking for instability relates to last year's NSAS topic on "when to dig". If there are already visual and/or audio signs of instability, there is no point in digging; turn around! On the other hand, if there are no obvious signs, then dig a pit. The idea is to keep looking for instability and stop when you find it as opposed to using further testing to overrule the instability signs already in hand.

What happened to the PMs that were shared and the narrative of the avalanche that mixed a recreational group with a guided group? It was interesting info to read and learn from.

There was some miscommunication between the two parties as to what was going to be shared, so I removed it. If they work out the details, the info may be posted again, but they both have to be pretty comfortable with that, which wasn't the case with today's post.

Not sure the "only useful for 1 meter depth" is correct.

See this video.
vimeo.com/35967109

Some scary layers in UT at the present as shown in this ECT.