Persistent slab problem in Slab Cliffs.

Toured back into the Slab Cliffs area today. No obvious signs of instability were noted along the approach via Incline Lake Peak. Upon reaching the objective slope, a snowpit was dug in order to have another opportunity to discover evidence of instability. All snowpit tests performed at the snowpit location indicated potential persistent slab instability. Discussion with partner determined that there was no way to manage the terrain by sticking to slope angles less than 30 degrees without connected exposure. Successfully traveling the slope and not triggering an avalanche would have required some reliance on luck - not an acceptable core element of the plan. This prompted a decision to back off of the slope and move to more conservative terrain in another area.

Facets were at the dry end of the dry to moist classification, some of the loosest and driest facets observed post storm cycle.

Solar aspects were entering melt phase up to the highpoint of travel at 9,640'. Surface melt-freeze crust formation expected tonight in the area on upper elevation solar aspects.