Powderhouse Observation

About 2 inches of light cold fresh snow was present at the 7500' start of our midday tour on Luther Pass today. We found about 6 inches close to 9000'. Graupel was present in the fresh snow for the duration of our tour. The wind was strong at the ridge and moving significant amounts of snow. Hanging out along the ridge was cold and we did not linger. We found cohesive snow capable of producing cracks in front of our skis and several areas where cracks up to 10 feet occurred. Below the wind hammered ridge we did not observe any signs on instability during our tour. 

Photo 1: About 2" of snow at the 7500' start of our tour. 

Photo 2: In an below tree line opening around 8500'  blowing snow had nearly obscured the existing skin track.

Photo 3: About 6" of snow at about 8800'.

Photo 4: Strong wind and blowing snow along the ridge.

Photo 5: Cracking and failing wind slabs on steep terrain along the ridge.