West Granite (winter)

We used the standard winter route to summit Granite. Avy danger was low and snow was thin in most places. However, when attempting to drop off the summit for the trverse to the West peak the snow became very deep and unstable. a quick snow pit and shovel shear test showed exceptionally easy to trigger slabs. In fact it would create a slab break just by putting the shovel behind the column with no pressure other than shovel weight. The trip was aborted and we descended back our approach route.