Quick report
Early season shakedown on Seattle Ridge today. It is possible to ski from the parking lot, but early season hazards still exist in the form of exposed drainages, thin cover, and bent over alders. Observed small (1-3mm) but widespread surface hoar on SE aspects from 1000 to about 1800ft in the vicinity of the established uptrack. From 2000ft to 2500ft on the uptrack, unsupportive melt freeze crust; I feared for my ACLs at times. We topped out at the ridge and descended onto a NW aspect. In the bowl, we observed 4-6in of soft, semi-cohesive snow atop a supportive melt-freeze crust.
Avalanche
Suspected slab release from a few days(?) ago. We did not approach the area to investigate. Estimated 2600ft and SE aspect. See photo. *Forecaster's note: This was a glide avalanche from the middle of last week that was buried under the snow we got on Thursday and Friday.