Small, reactive test slope on Picketts

We skied from Pickett's junction (~7k) up to just shy of pickett's peak where the trees stop. We transtioned to ski downjust a bit above treeline (~8500ft). We were on NW-N slopes the whole time. 

We found great, unconsolidated snow all the way up in the shade until we reached treeline. In the sun it was noticeably heavier but still easy to turn in. Above treeline after ~8400 it was windboard. Someplaces just firm, some with an easy to break thin wind crust.

Until about 8000ft we found surface hoar on NW-N aspects in open areas. It was 3-4mm. The snow hanging on trees had large surface hoar in these areas (1.5cm). The surface hoar wasn't in all open places, and was seemingly melting when in direct sunlight. We also saw gaupel on the surface in just a couple of isolated areas. 

At about 8200 ft we saw a small rollover with just a hint of cornice and decided to stomp on it. It was in a clearing within what i would consider a treed area, but with medium-spaced trees. Beyond the mini cornice the snow in the clearing showed signs of being wind affected. With one decent jump on it, the top 6-7" slid off on a clear bed surface. This was repeable a few feet further down the rollover. I don't trust my skills to relay a detailed pit, but on investigation there was a clear 1-2" firm slab on top, with 4-7" of very loose new snow below it, and then about 3' of consistent denser (1F) snow below that. The denser snow seemed to be the clear bed surface. 

Once in the clearing at the top we observed blowing snow coming around the peak (generally moving towards NE-E aspects). We also saw some small crowns on the peak. We couldn't really figure out how old they are.

Photo 1: Small test slope that slid on NW aspect at 8200ft. 

Photo 2: Close up of test slope showing bed surface. On the right you can see the firm top, 4-7" loose snow below it, and then the consistent firmer snow below. 

Photo 3: The peak. Blowing snow and old crowns observed

Photo 4: Isolated graupel on surface

Photo 5: Surface hoar in open areas below 8k, melting when in sun