extended column test - / ɪkˈstendɪd ˈkɒləm ˈtest / -
An extended column test is a method of assessing snow pack stability. There are lots of different kinds of snow stability tests, but the one we like, and the standard for backcountry travellers everywhere, is the Extended Column Test. The Republic favour the ECT because it is relatively quick to prepare (meaning we can do lots of tests right across the slope for a more complete picture of snowpack stability) and because it also gives an indication of propagation, which is critical for assessing slab avalanche potential.
\\ I'm worried about propagation, so I think we should do an extended column test.
