Mt Ellis (Big Ellis)

Skinned to the top of big Ellis completing 2 ECTs along the way.  The first pit was at an elevation of 7946 feet, north of the burn, east aspect, exposed to the sky/not shaded.  Snow depth 100cm. 2 buried crust layers, ECTNR.  We did get the column to fracture below the lower crust layer by prying on it after the ECT test.  The hardness of the faceted snow at the ground was 4 fingers trending to 1 finger.  The second pit was completed at an elevation of 8209 feet, top of the burn, east aspect, exposed to the sky.  Snow depth 120 cm, 2 buried crust layers, ECTNR.  The column failed at the ground post ECT via the same prying as previous column.  Hardness of the faceted snow at the ground was 4 fingers. We experienced no signs of instability during the day.  The skiing was good.  There were a few old ski tracks, partially buried by recent snow.