Variable surface conditions in Chickadee Ridge area

Toured out along the TRT south toward Chickadee Ridge and beyond. Snow cover is getting thin enough that we could even see the summer trail poking out in a few spots. North-facing slopes felt like they got a decent refreeze overnight but south and east did not. Extremely variable surfaces pretty much everywhere (as mentioned in a previous observation in the Mt Rose area) made for challenging skinning and skiing. Prominent fins (almost mini penitentes...guessing these may be from sublimation from some warmer winds) found mostly in more open areas near ridgelines on south-facing slopes in this area. Shady, treed north-facing slopes held soft snow that was unconsolidated in some areas and punchy in others. As forecasted, winds were gusty today, maybe 35+ mph at ridgetops.