Ralston Peak

Warm and very sunny morning on Ralston's SW face. Leaving the car at 930am it was very warm in the sun and winds were calm down low. Ascending near the summer trail, there were a few inches of cold, unconsolidated snow in the trees. Picture 4 shows the some surface crystals at about 10/1030am around 8000 ft on an open S aspect. Picture 5 shows the ample rime present where the winds were stronger up high. Picture 3 shows large cornices on the summit ridge looking north towards Pyramid/Dick's. More wind effects can be seen on Pyramid's S shoulder. Around 11am the clouds started to sock in the peaks east/South of the lake and were getting into Desolation. An hour later the top of Ralston was under cloud cover until we left around 2pm. Sunny aspects were very wet up to about 8700ft by noon. Ski penetration was 2-3 inches (picture 2) in the wet snow around 8500. Picture one was about 8500 ft and liquid water was dripping off this tree which was seeing a lot of sun. Roller balls were not picking up much mass/momentum, but the aspect was not very steep. Skiing was decent up high despite the mank. Down low was more variable and less fun.