Looking down slope at a remotely triggered avalanche near Weber Canyon that ran into the trees and timber below (via Nick B.)

Mid and upper elevation slopes facing the northwest through southeast harbor early-season snow that grew weak during the November dryspell. Recent storms and strong winds created a dense, cohesive slab on top of the weak layer that is now reactive to our additional weight as a rider. In protected areas out of the wind zone, the slab is less cohesive (4F hand hardness), and we are observing fewer red flags or obvious clues, like cracking and collapsing. But up in the wind zone, the slab is denser and closer to 1F hand hardness -- That's where I am noticing the most sensitivity, and my greatest concern lies.

Remember, we can trigger persistent slab avalanches remotely or from a distance. Once initiated, today's avalanches will break deeper and wider than you might expect, stringing you through rocks, trees, stumps, and anything else that is not deep enough to be buried. Yesterday, Tyler St.Jeor and the Backcountry Institute crew were out riding east of Currant Creek and submitted a stellar ob keying in on the current hazard with our PWL in their crosshairs. You can read more on their travels here.

On a north facing slope above 10,000', Mr, Tyler St.Jeor performs an Extended Column Test with propagation results, signifying that our persistent weak layer is alive and beginning to thrive (via Nick B.).

Sustained, strong winds from the southwest continued overnight, adding additional weight and depth to this hazard. Today's drifts will be 6-24" deep and found mostly on the leeward side of mid and upper elevation ridges. Look for and avoid dense, rounded pillows of snow, especially if they sound hollow like a drum. I'd also steer clear of cross-loaded terrain features like chutes and gullies. Loose some elevation and seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you'll find spongy, reboundable snow and better riding conditions with less avalanche hazard.