Cold and wet snow on the Eastside of Luther Pass.

   I started on the trailhead around 0945. The skies were mostly clear with some low cumulus growth across valley, the temperature was well below freezing and there was really no presence of wind on the surface despite watching clouds moving quickly over Hawkins peak. On the way up, snow conditions on solar aspects were a mix of semi-softening snow to solid melt freeze crust. It was clear that snow is melting away in this zone as old debris from the early January wind event is starting to be more exposed and is littered across the slopes. There was only about 110cm of snow @ 8400' on a SW aspect. As I continued up, winds remained calm and solar aspects continued to shows signs of softening even above 9000'. At the ridgeline I finally felt the E wind, it was light with moderate gusts. There was no snow transporting with these winds. On shaded North aspects surfaces were peppered with patches of surface hoar and and thin breakable crusts. I dug a hasty pit @ 9500' NE aspect. I found 5-10cm of near surface facets just below a thin breakable crust,  the snow pack below these near surface facets was well consolidated. there was an HS 175 at this spot. Ski conditions provided some variable but enjoyable wet and cold snow depending on aspect and elevation. Wet and warm snow was barely producing roller balls on ski cuts. Only small amounts of snow would move. The snow that was soft on the way down was in specific areas of direct solar radiation.