Quick report
Our AIARE ITC class toured from Mt Baker Lodge to Artist’s Point via Austin Pass. No formal snowpack tests were conducted, but last night’s 4-5in of snow appeared to be moderately transported by the wind, but little evidence of windslab formation was observed. We saw some scouring and scalloping on specific features but any transported snow appeared to incorporate with fresh snowfall with minimal formation of actual wind slabs. We saw fresh debris from numerous wet loose avalanches by mid/late morning (see Observed Avalanches section), and in our opinion we felt that the wet loose avalanche problem ranked higher than the windslab problem - at least in the terrain our class toured today. By early afternoon the fresh powder was transforming into heavier mashed potato snow and ski quality declined.
Avalanche
Evidence of several recent small wet loose avalanches observed on the way to Artist’s Point. Activity limited to solar aspects under cliff bands, but observed at all elevation levels. Sizes were small, D1, having occurred earlier this morning - debris observed at 1030.