Observations at Powderhouse Peak

Roads were wet and clear of snow over Luther Pass. The first five hundred feet of climbing was on saturated wet snow. Rain/snow line hovered around 8300 feet. Above 8700 feet there had been enough snow and wind to cover up almost all previous tracks. At the very top cracking was wide spread and test slopes very reactive.  Other than loose wet activity at lowest elevations, no instabilties observed below treeline. 

Photo 1: Natural roller ball activity below treeline on Luther Pass. 

Photo 2: A good number of tree bombs were falling as snow became saturated. 

Photo 3: Widespread cracking near and above treeline.

Photo 4: Very reactive wind slabs on small test slopes near and above treeline. Every test slope I used that was over 30 degrees displayed slab avalanche behavior. 

Photo 5: Looking down this small test slope at the bed surface, stauch wall, and debris. 

Photo 6: Looking across bed surface at crown and flanks. At highest point crown was about 6 inches.