1 Jan Mt Baker Ski Area

Fleeing the extreme avy danger I went with two friends up to Mount Baker Ski Area.  We heard charges going off as we parked the car, including the sounds of one large slide that we didn't see.  We turned our beacons on and stayed inbounds, but I didn't see any signs of instability inbounds, even on the out-of-the-way areas that don't get much traffic.  The Canyon and Gunner were closed due to avy danger, and we did see a few folks going into the BC, but none that went very far from the gates.

Conditions have improved quite a bit in the last week.  I hit a few rocks and shrubs, so there's still some early-season dangers out there.  It's been too long since I've seen powder smiles like these, though, so I consider it a good day!

Only Baker can have a 97 inch base and still get labeled early season conditions.