Variety of snow conditions on Relay

Toured along relay ridge line this morning  looking for corn snow.  There was a strong refreeze of the snow surface overnight  in open areas and a weak refreeze in the trees.  We found a wide variety of snow surface conditions depending on aspect and elevation.   SE,S, SW aspects had a supportable melt freeze crust.  NE, E aspects held a variety of surface conditions, thin breakable crust with facets underneath, pockets of wind blown snow, and near surface facets.  Firm and variable conditions on these aspects made for challenging travel and we were glad we brought our ski crampons, particularly on the ridgetop.  NE winds kept things firm all morning, but we found 1-2" of corn snow on top of a supportable crust on sheltered S aspects near and below tree line.  Coverage is still good, but creek holes and melting on S aspects made for route finding challenges.  We returned to the car by 12:15 and did not observe any loose wet problems.