Observation from Luther Pass

It was snowing heavy wet flakes at 2pm on Luther Pass. Snow became a bit drier as I climbed but remained on the heavy side all the way to the summit. Large "bombs" of snow were falling from the trees and making craters in the snow below. Still plenty of visible rocks and just hidden obstacles in this area but it was possible to ascend and descend on skis. Upon my return to the truck near 4pm, temperatures had climbed and it was raining lightly as I left. 

Photo 1: Snow covered trees at about 8000 feet on Luther Pass. Trees at the summit held much more snow.

Photo 2: Poor photo, but the heavy new snow cracked as I undercut it with my ski. This was the only below treeline instability observation I made. 

Photo 3: The 9000 foot summit area had obvious wind features. This small cornice broke easily as I skinned near it. 

Photo 4: Snow depths at and just below summit ranged from 100 - 115 cms.