Shovel Shear Test This test can be done on a flat or on a slope. With good technique, the location of weak layers, even thin weak layers, can be found. First dig a hole or pit in the snow. The vertical wall of the pit should be straight up and down, and smooth. Make a mark on the uphill portion of one corner of your pit with your shovel blade. This will mark the boundaries of your column, which should be roughly 30 cm by 30 cm or 12 inches square. (A) Now, cut both sides using a snow saw or your ski, all the way to the floor of the pit making sure that the cuts are straight. (B) The back of the column should only be cut as deep as your shovel blade is long, so measure with your shovel blade (C)and then cut the back. (D) Next, insert your shovel, blade down, in the back cut of the column and pull gently and evenly forward being careful not to lever your shovel handle. (E) Examine the shear layer where the block failed.(F) The force applied to the shovel that causes a weak layer to shear from the layers surrounding it can be rated as follows: Very easy if the layer shears when you are cutting the column or inserting the shovel Easy if the layer shears when you are pulling forward gently on the shovel Moderate if more force is applied before shear failure Hard if the shovel has to be levered or pulled hard for shear failure to occur. Once a layer has failed and you are through examining it, clear the snow from the top of column, cut the back again to the length of your shovel and repeat for lower layers. REMEMBER, THE SHOVEL SHEAR TEST IS ONLY HELPING YOU IDENTIFY WEAK LAYERS. IN ORDER TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF BONDING BETWEEN LAYERS YOU MUST PERFORM A STABILITY TEST SUCH AS A COMPRESSION TEST OR RUTSCHBLOCK.