12 Feb 05:  0730 - 1700, Cameron Pass.  Helped with the Level I
Avalanche class conducted by Dan McCoy of UW's Outdoor Adventure
Program.  The field day, held below South Diamond Peak, covered safe
travel techniques, transceiver searches, and snowpit analysis.  One
snowpit, on a south-facing aspect roughly 30 degrees steep, indicated

(1) an ice layer about 1 cm thick approximately 12 cm deep,  
(2) easy shovel shear at the top of the ice layer, and 
(3) a Rutschblock score of 2 (soft slab sliding on the ice layer when a
skier stood on the block with one ski).

Remark:  These conditions suggested the possibility of instability on
avalanche-prone slopes 30 degrees or more in steepness.  South Diamond
Peak is the site of three fatal avalanche incidents in the past 12
years, so there was good reason to exercise caution in that terrain.
Skiing conditions in the thick timber below South Diamond Peak were
excellent, with soft powder on top of a firm base.