The recent series of storms formed strong, dense layers near the ground and the solid building blocks of a designer snowpack. We're off to a great start, BUT I'd still be on the lookout for a few old drifts lurking on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and around terrain features like chutes and gullies. Problem is... old, stiff drifts formed early last week are camouflaged under the big midweek storm. So today... step out cautiously and continue practicing safe travel by avoiding steep, upper elevation terrain, especially slopes facing the north half of the compass. And remember... any avalanche triggered today can result in a season ending, traumatic injury.