Lower Luther Observation

While yesterday's warmth and previous wind had done some damage to the new snow on Luther Pass there was still ample areas of quality, stable powder to be found. Snow that received sun either had a melt freeze crust, evidence of snow melting from trees, or large craters from big snow bombs falling out of trees, or possibly all three. While the surface snow was heavy in some areas, I couldn't produce any cracking or evidence of a slab on skin track switchbacks or steeper test slopes. Wind exposed ridges showed small amounts of previous slab development but these were fairly small and unreactive where I traveled. One the descent I found settled powder on north facing slopes and then more melt freeze crust on lower angle terrain that received more sun. 

Photo 1: Although on mostly north facing terrain, at a lower elevation clearing the snow was covered in stout melt freeze crust.

Photo 2: Settlement cones high on the trees indicated dramatic settling of the snow

Photo 3: It was hard to capture with photos but there were many gargantuan craters from previous snow bombs.

Photo 4: Great views of Little Roundtop and surrounding Meiss Country. I couldn't see any old crowns.

Photo 5: Looking up this shoulder, the snow was fairly scoured with exposed rocks and firm snow.

Photo 6: Lots of wind textured snow on the edges of the north facing slopes.