Variable Conditions on Northerly Terrain-Blackwood Ridge

With the strong E winds and increased thin cloud cover, we decided to try to find some wind protected northerly aspects where smooth near surface facets might exist.  We went up Blackwood Ridge which has some good wind protected northerly aspects.  This area is well treed with some spaced areas and gully features.  We did find some limited areas of soft surface facets in open wind protected areas.  The rain crust just below the surface facets was semi supportable making for breakable crust conditions.  Anywhere near dense treed areas, the snow surface was firm and funky from previous refrozen tree drippings.  Conditions ranged greatly from section to section with a little bit of everything including sticky snow toward the valley bottom.  Some south aspects across Blackwood Canyon still look to have adequate snow coverage, but are melting out quickly.