Partial overnight refreeze and partial daytime thaw

Cooler day than anticipated at Carson Pass. A thin, breakable crust over wet snow (pic 1) was evidence of only a partial overnight refreeze. This crust was weaker in the trees and stronger out on exposed slopes. Along the most exposed slopes, this crust was quite strong and firm, and made for challenging skinning. The wet snow below it was 6"-12" thick on top of another firmer layer.  Cool but above freezing temps, broken cloud cover, and a NW wind all appeared to prevent significant warming of the surface snow, and signs of wet instabilities were not observed. I did not travel below 8600ft.

Pic 2: Elephant's Back had some refrozen cornice/avalanche debris and about an inch of new, cold snow that was bonding reasonably well to the ice underneath - except in places where the NW wind was scouring it away. Besides the cornices, no signs of instabilities observed in the main E Back bowl. 

Pic 3: My afternoon tour had periods of moderate snowfall with poor visibility, moments of strong sun, and dark clouds on the horizon upon my departure at 330pm.