Weak near-surface snow Rose Knob Peak E

Wide variety of surface snows today from hard slide-for-life crusts on sunny aspects to cold, unconsolidated soft snow in the shadows.  Active wind loading was minor but some substantial slabs had built up over the last couple days.  I backed off one steep pitch on PK 9700 that had a double wind crust sandwiched between weak snow.  The bottom wind structure was very hard and 10-15 cm thick.  It was collapsing locally; I didn't like the feel of it.  Almost entire snowpack at pit location faceted.  Crusts within the top 10-15 cm surrounded by delicate snows.  Breezy day but not cold.  Skiing improved on the sunny slopes by 1200, the shady snow skied well all the way back to the car.