Decent Snow Surface Refreeze on Castle

We went to the South side of Castle Peak to monitor snow surface softening and loose wet avalanche activity.  Even with above freezing overnight temperatures, radiational cooling from clear skies overnight provided a descent refreeze of the snow surface in this area.  Moderate SW winds along the upper ridges also helped to keep the snow surface cool and prolong the spring snow cycle.  E and SE aspects provided good travel conditions in the late morning hours 10-11am, followed by S aspects 11am to noon.  On our way out, we encountered some E aspects that had deep wet snow and had become fully unsupportable.  Roller balls and pinwheels occurred on these small test slopes.  Timing is critical this time of year with a short window to get good corn snow conditions.