There are three options for placing a picket. The first is in a t-trench, the second is a vertical placement, and the third is the mid-clip picket.
The strength of a snow picket, no matter how the picket is placed, is directly correlated to to the quality of the snow. The strongest is always going to be a picket placed in a t-trench with snow backfilling it. That snow backfilling should be packed down and work-hardened. The second strongest is going to be a t-trench without backfill. The third will be a mid-clip picket. And finally, the weakest — but fastest picket placement — is the vertical picket.
In the following video, AMGA instructor team member Emile Drinkwater, demonstrates how to place pickets in three different orientations.
It should be noted that with the vertical picket demonstration, if one can easily place the picket, without stomping on it or pounding it in, the picket is likely not very good. It should require some effort to place a vertical picket.
Picket placement is a craft. And as with any other craft, it takes practice to do it well. Put in some time and effort with these devices before using them for real…
–Jason D. Martin