Variable Surfaces on N Face of Ralston

Skied the North Face of Ralston today, starting at Echo Lakes Sno-Park. Temps at the car at 1100 at the car were 38 F, and no winds were observed until hitting the NW ridgeline of Ralston. Travel on the Echo Lakes was easy, as the surface is quite hard and pretty smooth. Between the lakes and the ridge, variability was the story, as there was plenty of soft snow in sheltered spots, but lots of very firm surfaces as well, including multiple raised skin tracks. Snow that was getting solar input was starting to soften as well, but not to any significant degree. The most treacherous surface was tree drippings, which were bulletproof ice, and created many comical skinning situations. Once on the ridge, travel became heinous for a short stretch, and the damage of the E winds of the last few days was very evident. Every surface possible was encountered (which was expected), including raised tracks, sastrugi, surface facets and wind board. Perhaps most surprisingly, multiple expanses of gleaming ice were exposed on the ridge, and these surfaces were quite stout, with no breaking through them. Winds were light throughout the tour until cresting the ridge, when moderate E winds were observed, with occasional strong gusts at the summit (strong enough to blow ski sluff back uphill into your face). The north face itself was actually not bad, in keeping with other high elevation north aspects skied recently. The snow surface was firm, but smooth and edgeable, especially right off the top. There was wind texture everywhere, but not to an extent that hindered skiing. Once out onto the lower angle slopes that had gotten sun at some point, the icy surfaces seen everywhere else started to reemerge and made each turn exciting. Back down low, there was plenty of soft snow in the trees, and the firm surfaces on the lakes allowed us to simply skate the last 3 miles back to the car, and not have to put skins back on.