Glacier Crest surface hoar

On the way to Glacier Crest summit, just below treeline, we noticed on our skin track how blocks of snow, wedged between direction changes in our skin track, were easily sliding on surface hoar, roughly 30 cm down. New surface hoar seemed to be forming on top of the snow. The snow was powdery but had soft slab characteristics. Just above the treeline the snow turned much firmer. There we dug a pit at 1980 m and got CTM 12 on surface hoar layer, sliding easily and cleanly. Since this was a concern, instead of traversing under a big slope, we took a left and got on the ridge and followed it to the summit. Dropping down to Illecillewaet Glacier, we chose the mellowest option with good support. Hand shears and ski cuts at the top of that slope did not show any concerns - quite different from the SW side. Snow on the NE slope was loose and light. Skiing down was fun.